I’ve always been a bit disappointed about the world’s glaring lack of superheroes. More specifically, I’m a bit annoyed that I don’t have any superpowers. I’m not talking Superman levels of invincibility here, but is it too much to ask that I have some heat vision or laser feet or something?
But, I am comforted with today’s news that, in fact, superheroes are real. Three year-old Liam Hoekstra has a rare genetic condition – one without any known harmful side effects – that is turning him into a baby-hulk:
Liam has the kind of physical attributes that bodybuilders and other athletes dream about: 40 percent more muscle mass than normal, jaw-dropping strength, breathtaking quickness, a speedy metabolism and almost no body fat.
In fitness buffs’ terms, the kid is ripped.
Liam can run like the wind, has the agility of a cat, lifts pieces of furniture that most children his age couldn’t push across a slick floor and eats like there is no tomorrow — without gaining weight.
Jesus. Somebody get that kid a cape. And a Fortress of Solitude. But wait, it gets better:
“He could do the iron cross when he was 5 months old,” said his adoptive mother, Dana Hoekstra of Roosevelt Park. She was referring to a difficult gymnastics move in which a male athlete suspends himself by his arms between two hanging rings, forming the shape of a cross.
Hold on… adoptive mother? This kid is Superman.
And yes, before someone points this out in the comments, I know the story was posted almost two years ago. But it’s pretty damn cool, so I’m writing about it anyway.
Yah, they’ve done experiments with myostatins, on dogs in particular. Here’s an example: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1341/727663041_63325260bf.jpg
Crazy stuff
You know, this story was posted almost two years ago.