21-year-old Omar Sayed Shaaban from Ismailia in Egypt was recognized by Guinness World Records for the highest-ever jump with a monofin.
Shaaban leapt from the water to touch a mark at 2 meters 30 centimeters (7 feet 6.5 inches), breaking the previous world record of 2 meters set in 2011 by fellow Egyptian Soliman Sayed and Italians Cesare Fumarola and Stefano Figini.
A civil engineering student, Shaaban trains for sprint freestyle. He told Arab News, “I practice to increase my limb beat frequency and obtain stiffer muscles, but my aim is never to bulk up. Bigger muscles make it hard to sprint in water, so I work out to maintain cutting cycle, increase flexibility, enhance muscle reflexes and of course build stronger legs.”
He has also been clocked swimming 50 meters underwater in 15.6 seconds, and 100 meters underwater using a snorkel in 35.5 seconds.
“As a sprinter, I understand that even thinking burns oxygen, so I tend to focus on the present moment. Part of our training is to learn how to be extremely relaxed inside the water,” he said.
“Swimming is peaceful. A rush of unexplainable thoughts crosses your mind underwater, but it is certainly different and healing.”
Guinness World Records Arabia provided the following video:
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This should be in the dunk contest next year
Ha. Pretty awesome actually. I couldn’t find results for Omar, I suspect he is a legit swimmer though….
They should jump over a bar like the High Jump in track and field. That would be fun to watch!
Never new this was a sport or event, much less an activity where someone tracked world records.
Illegal suit
Would love to see Misty Hyman with a monofin like that
As part of the reward for his achievement, Shaaban was given a tasty bucket of fish by his handler.
Dressel’s next WR?
Probably wouldn’t need the monofin.
Drag Sox for good measure
Not unless Dean Farris does it first
Feet first
When one can walk on water these other activities are trivial.