On Thursday, October 9, 2025, a Brisbane native who first picked up a skipping rope during a primary school program has become the most decorated jump rope athlete in history. Luke Boon, now 23, is inspiring a new generation to skip for heart health, having amassed 75 World Championship Skipping titles. His journey began with the Heart Foundation’s ‘Jump Rope for Heart’ program when he was in Grade 6.
Luke recently returned from the 2025 World Championship in Japan, where he added three more titles to his collection. Reflecting on his journey, Luke shared, “Sometimes I just stop and realize I’m living my absolute childhood dream, and it all started with Jump Rope for Heart. It’s a full circle moment, and I’m so glad I stuck with it all these years later.”
From Chronic Asthma to World-Leading Athlete
Back in 2002, when the Jump Rope for Heart program visited Queensland’s Ormiston College, Luke struggled with chronic asthma, unable to finish a lap in cross country. The program introduced him to the endurance sport of skipping, which gradually improved his cardiovascular fitness and sparked his competitive spirit.
At a school fete around the same time, Luke witnessed a performance by the Cleveland Air Magic Skipping Club, an experience that solidified his passion for the sport. “The two experiences came into my life almost side by side and together they ignited a passion for skipping that’s stayed with me ever since,” Luke said.
Luke’s dedication to skipping has led to setting 20 world records and achieving more World Championship titles than any other athlete in the sport’s history. “I loved that I could pop my skipping rope in my backpack and take skipping anywhere. I’d be skipping at lunch; even skipping next to my mum while she was filling up the car with petrol,” he recalled.
Millions of Kids Skipping for Heart Health
Luke is one of over 10 million Australian children who have participated in the Jump Rope for Heart program since its inception by the Heart Foundation in 1983. Over the past 42 years, more than 90 percent of schools in Australia have been involved, collectively raising over $115 million for heart health research.
Jason Pupkovski, Heart Foundation Jump Rope for Heart Program Lead, expressed hope that Luke’s story would inspire future generations. “For many children in Australia, the Jump Rope for Heart program is an important way to learn about the role of exercise in having a healthy heart,” Pupkovski said. “Luke’s story is a testament to his incredible commitment to the sport and the impact of the Jump Rope for Heart program.”
Luke Boon: Ambassador for Heart Health
Luke’s passion for skipping has led him to become the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart Ambassador. He emphasizes that skipping is more than just a sport—it’s a pathway to healthier hearts. “I tell kids how the heart is a muscle that we need to exercise. I just want to inspire kids to get a rope in their hands and feel the same way I felt when I started,” Luke said. “Now every single day I get to watch their eyes light up the same way mine did.”
New Challenge: 79 Skips a Day
This November, the Heart Foundation is launching the ‘Skip for Heart’ fundraiser, encouraging people of all ages to skip at least 79 times a day. This initiative aims to raise funds for heart health while honoring the 79 people who lose their lives to heart disease each day.
To participate in the ‘Skip Your Way’ challenge this November, visit: www.skipforheart.org.au
As Luke Boon continues to inspire with his story and achievements, the Heart Foundation hopes that more individuals will take up skipping, promoting a healthier lifestyle and supporting vital heart health research.
