Sacramento Cat Jumps 104 Inches, Eyes World Record

A black cat in Sacramento just launched himself into the record books with a gravity-defying 104-inch jump.

Smino, who turns two in June, cleared the distance in his midtown Sacramento home while his owner Alex Simphoukham filmed the attempt. The current Guinness World Record for a cat's long jump stands at just under 102 inches.

Simphoukham catches Smino at the end of each jump to keep his athletic feline safe. "I don't want to break the trust I have with my cat, so I will continue to catch him," he told The Sacramento Bee via Instagram message.

The gym owner treats Smino like one of his fitness clients at the Fitness Achievement Center. "I'm raising my cats how I'd like to be raised, where an active lifestyle is encouraged and protein is always available," he said.

Smino showed promise from the start. "My boy has shown athleticism since he first chased a toy on a string around and was too fast for us to keep it away," Simphoukham shared.

The video posted to Instagram has racked up nearly 4,500 likes. Simphoukham captioned it with pride: "Absolute athleticism and trust is essential. No other black cat can do what Smino does."

Sunny's Take

There's something wonderfully pure about watching someone celebrate their pet's talents with such genuine enthusiasm. Simphoukham isn't pushing Smino beyond his limits. He's simply creating an environment where his naturally athletic cat can thrive, catching him after every jump to maintain trust.

The partnership between owner and pet shows what's possible when we encourage the unique abilities in those we care for, whether they have two legs or four.

Getting into Guinness requires submitting an application, waiting for exact rules, and providing video footage and witness statements. The process can take several months, but Simphoukham isn't worried about the timeline.

Whether or not Guinness accepts the record with the catching method, Smino has already won where it counts: in a home where his talents are celebrated and his safety comes first.