Pakistani athlete breaks his own thumb push-ups record for the third time
The chance to break a world record could be at your finger tips – literally!
In just 60 seconds, Muhammad Arshad (Pakistan), a certified athlete, pushed himself off the floor with just his thumbs 66 times, earning himself a Guinness World Records title for the most thumb push-ups with one leg raised in one minute on 4 May.
Muhammad is a multi-record holder, winning over 14 Guinness World Records titles in the past across various strength-based categories. And this is his third time breaking this record! His latest achievement has become a source of pride for his family and an inspiration for his community.
The athlete’s interest in strength training and endurance started from a young age. However, growing up in a small village in Vehari, Pakistan, even basic sport facilities were very limited. But that never discouraged him. Muhammad was determined to improve himself no matter the circumstances – so he started training at home with bodyweight, where push-ups played a key role.
“Thumb push-ups are one of the most difficult and rare exercises, requiring exceptional strength, balance, and mental toughness,” he said. “This uniqueness is what drew me toward them.”
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Preparing for such a demanding attempt tested him both physically and mentally! The attempt required him to balance on his thumbs while performing push-ups, with one leg bent at a strict 90-degree angle in the air. Muhammad says the toughest part of his preparation was to maintain balance despite exhaustion, while keeping up with the time guidelines.
“Time is limited, the body becomes exhausted, yet maintaining balance and meeting the strict 90-degree bend requirement is extremely challenging,” he said. “Even a small mistake can invalidate the entire attempt.”
Muhammad said his primary message for all his achieved records is that strong intentions can overcome limited resources, and he hopes his journey will become a source of motivation for young people in Pakistan.
“I hope the world can witness these unique challenges live and see that with dedication, hard work, and determination, it is possible to achieve global recognition even with limited resources!” Muhammad said with hope.
He described breaking the record as "a moment of immense pride and happiness" for him, adding that his determination, hard work and faith had seen him through.