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10-year-old boy named Clark Kent smashes Michael Phelps' 23-year swimming record

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CBS / Getty Images / Martin Bureau

They say not all heroes wear capes. This one doesn't, but if his swimming super powers and name are anything to go by, he may well be wearing one very soon.

10-year-old Clark Kent Apuada, who has been aptly dubbed 'Superman', hit the headlines on the weekend when he achieved the incredible feat of beating Michael Phelps's 1995 100m butterfly stroke world record.

Yes, a 10-year-old boy beat the most decorated Olympic swimmer of all time on a casual weekend. We'll let that sink in.

Apuada competed at the Far West International Championship with the Monterey County Aquatic Olympic Team in California on the weekend, and achieved the incredible time of 1:09:38, more than a second faster than the record set by Michael Phelps in 1995.

The swimming legend even recognised the boy's incredible achievements in a tweet, in which he said:

Big congrats to #clarkkent for smashing that meet record!!! Keep it up dude!! #dreambig

Incredibly, Apuada has only been swimming competitively for four years. Speaking to CNN, his coach made it clear that he's one of a kind:

This kid is unlike any other young man that I’ve ever coached.

He’s always stood out, he’s just, he’s kind of a savant of sorts.

His father, Chris Apadua, commented:

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.

Despite the high levels of pressure on the 10-year-old, he says that he doesn't let it get to him.

I deal with it really well, I just have to balance.

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.

He also offered his advice to other people hoping to achieve their dreams.

Dream big, and always focus on your dreams and have fun.

Right you are, Superman!

HT CNN

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