On July 29, Clark Kent Apuada, known to his friends as "Superman," has beaten Michael Phelp's 23-year swimming record by a second at the 2018 Long Course Meters Far Western International Age Group Championships in California.
The 28-time Olympic medalist set his record in 1995 finishing the 100-m fly race at 1:10.48.
The 10-year-old swimmer, who represented the Monterey County Aquatic Team, clocked 1:09.38 in the 100-meter butterfly race, according to a post by the Salinas Aquatic Center MCAT on Facebook.
The Facebook post read: "Clark Kent Apuada breaks Michael Phelps Far Western Age Group Record set in 1995 (1:10.48) at the 2018 Long Course Meters Far Western International Age Group Championships 7/29/18 in the 100 fly going 1:09.38."
Clark Kent won a total of seven medals from the competition, according to pacswim.org. Six of which bested his previous records.
He earned a total of 63 points from different categories—including 200-meter individual medley, 50-meter butterfly, 100-meter butterfly, 50-meter backstroke, 100-meter backstroke, 50-meter freestyle, and 100-meter freestyle—making him the high-point award winner for boys aged 10 and under.
Clark Kent, who lives in Salinas, California, with his parents Cynthia and Chris Apuada, is an early achiever.
His father told CNN in an interview, "He does piano lessons, he does martial arts, and at school if there's a computer class, coding, or STEM programs, he's always joining."
When asked why he loves swimming, Clark Kent told CNN, "I love swimming because I have a lot of people supporting me and my coaches are always there for me and my parents are always there."
In a separate interview with Huffingtonpost.com, Cynthia revealed that her son started swimming at the age of 7.
After beating Phelps's record, Clark Kent is now eyeing a new goal: the Olympics.
He said, "Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2028."
Clark Kent added, "This record has motivated me to keep swimming, to keep striving and do everything I can to get to that elite level."
His advice to young athletes like him?
"Dream big and always focus on your dreams and have fun."