Zach Peckman, a 16-year-old from New Hope who holds multiple U.S. jump rope records, was honored by the Bucks County Commissioners for his achievements at the World Jump Rope Championship in Japan.
Peckman holds U.S. records in the 3-minute speed event with a score of 515 and the single rope speed sprint in the 18-and-younger age group with a score of 102. He qualified for the U.S. National Jump Rope Team earlier this year.
Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia read a letter of recognition highlighting Peckman’s accomplishments, noting he competed against more than 2,600 athletes from 34 countries in Kawasaki, Japan.
“Your dual commitments to jumping rope and making music should serve as an inspiration to the entire Bucks County community,” Ellis-Marseglia read from the letter.
Peckman is first chair violin and concert master for the New Hope Solebury High School Orchestra and first chair viola in the Youth Orchestra for Bucks County.
After the commissioners showed a video of his jump rope performance, Peckman spoke about his experience at the World Championships.
“Competing in Japan was an incredible experience that I’m so grateful to have had,” Peckman said. “By far the best speed jumpers are from China and Korea.”
Peckman said he finished 12th in the 3-minute speed event, and the 11 athletes who finished ahead of him were from China and Korea. He said he noticed differences in training and form among the top Chinese and Korean athletes.
“What I discovered talking to them is that athletes around the world are mostly the same, regardless of where they’re from,” he said. “Everyone is approachable, friendly, and eager to stay in touch and share ideas.”
Peckman proposed a cultural exchange program to bring top Chinese and Korean speed athletes to Pennsylvania.
“It’s with that spirit that I hope to work with the International Jump Rope Union and would love to work with the state of Pennsylvania to capitalize on the camaraderie of the jump rope community and coordinate a goodwill trip,” he said.
The proposed program would include jump rope and cultural workshops.
Peckman said he believes such an exchange could help U.S. athletes learn advanced techniques and improve their chances of winning medals in future Olympic Games.
“The United States athletes, myself included, have a lot to learn from Chinese and Korean jumpers and all the advancements they made in speed technique and training,” he said.
Peckman also stressed the cultural value of the exchange.
“Maybe we can help bring the world a little closer together through sport,” he said.
Peckman’s interest in jump rope began in elementary school.
He broke records at the 2025 National Jump Rope Championship in South Dakota before competing internationally.
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