Kanya Sesser was born without legs and abandoned by her parents on the side of the road. She was found by a woman passing by a Buddhist temple school, who took the baby to the hospital. Kanya lived there for five years until she was adopted by an American family.

31-year-old Kanya Sesser from Portland, Oregon, has set a world record for the longest handstand on a skateboard. Her time of 19.65 seconds has been officially recorded in the Guinness World Records. This remarkable feat, accomplished in Los Angeles, will be featured in the 2025 edition of the Guinness World Records book. The unique aspect of this record is that it was set by an athlete born without legs.

“No legs, no limits. I think this is one of the moments that has changed my career. It’s incredible for me to make history that others will see. I’ve made an impact on others for future generations,” the record-holder stated. Kanya was born in 1992 with a congenital absence of both legs. As an infant, she was found on the roadside by a woman passing by a Buddhist temple school in Pak Chong, Thailand. Hearing the baby’s cries, the woman saved Kanya’s life by taking her to the hospital. There, a nurse affectionately called “Nurse May Chan” and the staff cared for her until 1998.

At the age of five, Kanya was adopted by an American family. Her adoptive parents, Jane and Dave, had two older sons. They brought Kanya to Portland, where she was raised like any other child. Kanya recalls her childhood as filled with challenges, including a language barrier and several surgeries to address webbed fingers.

Reflecting on her past, Kanya describes herself as a “wild child”: sociable and determined, she quickly made friends, enjoyed playing with neighborhood kids, and joined the cheerleading squad by her freshman year of high school. It was also during this time that she began modeling.

In addition to sports, Kanya is passionate about acting and aspires to further her career in this field. She has already appeared in music videos and starred in notable films and TV shows, such as the 2022 movie *Babylon* and the popular series *The Walking Dead*. She has also made guest appearances on the American action series *Hawaii Five-0*, playing the role of surfer Rosie Valera.

Looking back on her life, Kanya told Guinness World Records that being a role model for others is important to her. “Just know that you’re not the only one who feels insecure. Even those who seem perfect are not. No one is perfect, and we all have our insecurities,” the record-holder emphasized.