On Oct. 9, Nima Rinji Sherpa became the youngest person to SUMMIT all 14 of the world’s highest peaks—and he is only 18!
The 14 peaks are known as the “8,000ers” because each mountain is at least 8,000 meters tall. That’s more than 5 miles! Only a few dozen people have completed the feat because it is very difficult and dangerous.
Nima is from Nepal, where eight of the 14 peaks are found. Nima is also a Sherpa. Sherpas are Nepalese people who are known for helping other climbers from around the world by acting as guides, carrying heavy equipment, setting up ropes, and acting as first responders when things go wrong. One of Nima’s goals is to change the perception of Sherpas.
“My generation thinks that this way of life is for the uneducated and disadvantaged, but I’m here to change that perception, with my project ‘Sherpa
Power,’” Nima said in an Instagram video posted before he summited the 14th peak. “We sherpas are more than just climbers, we are the guardians of these mountains.”
Nima has a strong connection to the mountains as he comes from a family of climbers and is quick to thank them for their support.
“Even if the record is in my name, I can see so many sacrifices from everyone,” said Nima. His uncle became the first South Asian climber to summit all 14 peaks in 2011. Nima’s father has climbed Mount Everest nine times, is the youngest person to summit without bottled oxygen, and started a company, 14 Peaks Expedition. The company provided funds and logistical support for Nima’s climbs as he didn’t have any big-name sponsors.
Nima is hoping to change this—inspiring other young Sherpa climbers to realize their potential and open doors for them as well.
“Hopefully I become the face of a big brand. And then the younger generation of Sherpas, they don’t see this as like a dead job, you know, like a risky job. They see this as an athletic feat as well,” Nima said.
Lucky Kid Nabs History-making Grand Slam Ball
A 10-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers fan had an epic trip to the ballpark in game one of the World Series as he got a historic ball as a souvenir hit by none other than Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman!
“I saw the ball, but I knew I couldn’t get it. So I knocked it to my dad, then he handed it to me. It was the best moment of my life,” said the young Dodgers fan, named Zachary. What makes the story even better is that Zachary thought he was leaving school early to go to the dentist until his dad surprised him with tickets to the World Series game!
Freeman was certainly happy with the play as well. The ball Zachary and his dad caught was the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history, and Freeman went on to be named as the World Series MVP after the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in five games.
“To do that and ultimately win the championship, I mean that’s kind of every kids’ dream really to come up big in those situations. I think it might live on for a long time huh?” Freeman said shortly after the Dodgers big win.
Freeman also set a major league record for most consecutive World Series games with a home run—six. That wouldn’t be anything to sneeze at normally, but Freeman was playing through painful ankle and rib injuries!
While the championship series brought out the best in some people, it also brought out the worst behavior by a couple of Yankees fans.
In game four, Yankees leadoff hitter Gleyber Torres hit a foul fly ball in the bottom of the first inning. Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts made a leaping catch, but two Yankees fans ripped the ball out of his glove and grabbed Betts’ arm. The fans were ejected from the game for their “EGREGIOUS and unacceptable” behavior and banned from game five the next day. Their seats were given to a young cancer patient named Calvin.
