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World's Best Tap dancer sets Speed tapping record Bolivia - Equir Valecia is considered by many to be the world's best tap dancer, having performed for audiences which include the Queen, the Pope and the Presidents of 32 countries. However, recently he had complained of being slightly bored with the tapping profession, saying that plain old tapping sucks. Boris Valdez, his agent, suggested that he seek new tap techniques to inspire him. Valencia went one step further. He decided to have a 700 foot tower erected in front of the Bolivian Parliament buildings and perform a speed tapping exhibition on top of the platform. Speed tapping is a very old artform, developed by angry tribesmen in New Zealand, and it has evolved into a specialized danceform. Speed tappers try to break tapping records - the number of times the toe can go up and down in one minute. Valencia knew that the previous record was 88 taps per minute, and bravely prepared to break that record by tapping at the astonishing rate of 88 taps per SECOND !! As he stood on the tower and did a few warmup taps, the audience watched in anticipation of what may have been a world breaking news event. No man has ever reached that level of tapping. Valencia gave the thumbs up and the tapping began. 34 taps per second...then 56 taps per second..The electronic monitoring device attached to his shoes showed a dangerous level of heat and friction, and the alarm bell had sounded. 77 taps per second and rising... Suddenly, Valencia suffered a dislocated tap - a very dangerous event in which the metal tap on his shoe gives way and unhooks - like a flat tire at high speed. At 81 taps per second, Valencia's shoe, now without the protection of a metal tap, caught fire and exploded in a spectacular tap explosion. As the horrified audience watched, Valencia plummeted off the tower to his death, in a ball of angry flames. The Association of Speed tappers recorded an 87.7 tap per second level, just short of his goal. However, his widow, Maria Valencia, was pleased that an award was presented to her immediately after the funeral. Investigators are reviewing tapes of the event to see what went wrong, and how future generations of speed tappers may avoid this tragic death. |
 Above: Equir Valencia warms up minutes before his quest to set a new speed tapping record. " His feet were
moving like the wind..he is the King of Tapping".
Above: Moments before his death - Equir Valencia in full speed tapping form - his feet were literally on fire ! " I never saw such lightning movement.... " I saw the tap come off - I knew he was bloody
dead.....". " Valencia was a brave man with a stubborn head...I told him he
could perish...". |
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