Right now, Tampa rapper Richy Infynite (aka Richie Cortés) is in the process of getting a record cleared in the Guinness Book of World Records (longest distance swung between two bars, aka long distance lache). The emcee — who released a new LP in October — pulled the feat off as part of his training for NBC's American Ninja Warrior.
His hard work has officially been rewarded with a spot on the show's ninth season, which began taping in Los Angeles on March 7 before it heads to San Antonio, Kansas City, Cleveland and Denver in the coming weeks.
"The official call was insane, heart dropped and emotions took over, man," Cortés, 33, told CL in a message. "Years of hard work finally paid off. Overwhelmed with joy doesn't even begin to describe it."
Cortés — a Full Sail product and project manager at EA Sports who also runs Right Track Fitness in Apopka — will have his run in Daytona when the show tapes on April 7 & 8. If he places in the top 30 out of 100 during stage one, then he automatically makes it to stage two. The top 15 stage two contestants make it to the finals (set to take place in June in Las Vegas, Nevada).
"I train with some of the best in the world," Cortés added. "I am super ready and confident on making it to Vegas, which is my goal for the first year, but many have me touted as a possible winner."
Look below to see Cortés successfully completing cast-free 13 foot long distance lache at Ninja Gym in Orlando, Florida in January 2017. Listen to his music here. Sign up to watch the competition in person via On Camera Audiences.
Front page image via Robert Richards // Carnival Works
