Goa's Kumbhar completes Everesting Challenge

The 20-year-old Kumbhar is the second-youngest and 14th Indian to achieve the feat. Kumbhar’s name has been included in Everesting’s Hall of Fame, alongside the best climbers in the world.

Kumbhar rode Siddhanath Parvat, Borim, Ponda “ Goa’s second-highest peak and a formidable climb for a cyclist “ 52 times non-stop, clocking an elevation of 9,025 metres in less than 48 hours. “I had initially considered doing Half-Everesting,” Kumbhar said. “However, when I started preparing for this awesome challenge, I realised I could attempt the full Everesting.”  

The concept of Everesting Challenge is extremely simple but brutally tough. It requires a sportsperson to run or cycle up and down a hill until they reach the total vertical elevation equivalent to the height of Mt Everest, 8,848 meters, in a single activity. “Had it not been for the ride injury in my knees, I was motivated enough to cross even 10,000 meters,” the cyclist said. 

Kumbhar is pursuing a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Goa College of Engineering. “This is the moment of extreme pride for us at the Xaxti Riders since Kiran Kumbhar is our young Talent Search rider,” Sameer Nadkarni, president of Xaxti Riders, said.

According to Nadkarni, under its Talent Search programme, Xaxti Riders selects young cyclists from rural areas, and trains, motivates and supports them to attain competitive success at State and National level. “I have highest regards for Sameer Sir who keeps motivating and supporting the young riders like me,” Kumbhar said.

Kumbhar began his challenge on February 10 at 11 pm and completed it on February 12, at 5 am, with the help of a support team and an efficiently-organised a camp upon the summit of Siddhanath Parvat. 

Kumbhar’s name was added to Hall of Fame on February 14 after a series of checks by Hells 500, creators and custodians of the Everesting concept. A mere 7055 cyclists worldwide have so far accomplished this feat.