Martial artist, content creator, and all-around powerhouse Joshua Iyalla (UK) has just done the unthinkable.
He broke not one, not two, but THREE Guinness World Records titles for full-extension punches:
- Most full extension punches in one minute (male) – 453
- Most full extension punches wearing boxing gloves in one minute (male) – 374
- Most full extension punches in one minute holding 1 kg weights (male) – 333
“This has been nearly a year in the making,” Joshua beamed. “We trained hard. Twice a day over the last few weeks leading up to it. Total commitment.”
When asked which was his most cherished record out of the three, he said most full extension punches in one minute (male), the title without gloves.
“That was the hardest,” he said, rating his confidence at an 8.5 out of 10. “It pushed me to my absolute limit.”
The gloves record though? “Infinity out of ten,” he jokingly rated his confidence level. “That one was light work.”
The dumbbell record, however, was the real beast. “Six out of 10 confidence. The fatigue in your shoulders is unreal! I’m not some big guy with massive traps. It took everything.”
Despite the insane physical challenge, Joshua didn’t just wing it. He credits his unorthodox but strategic training plan: a combination of old-school grit and high-tech help.
“I actually used ChatGPT to come up with my training plan!” he laughed. “Got it verified by my uncle, who’s a boxing coach. It was a lot of full-extension punches, Tabata intervals, but gladly no cardio!”
The adrenaline rush extended far beyond the gym: “When I found out I broke the record, I literally cried. I danced on the Tube listening to Latin music. People thought I was crazy, but I didn’t care. Cloud nine!”
So, what inspired this record-smashing path? Joshua wanted to show his massive online following, especially young men battling self-doubt, that anything is possible.
“Martial arts saved me,” he said, reflecting on a journey that started at age seven. “I didn’t want to train growing up. My dad forced me. At 16, something clicked, and I went on to compete for England and became a three-time English Champion in Taekwondo. All because he never let me quit. Love you, Dad.”
He praises inspiration from all around: his brother, his father, even fellow world record holders doing mind-blowing feats like 10,000 pushups in 24 hours. “I thought, ‘If that’s possible, why not my record too?’”
And what did he think parents would say when they found out about the trio of Guinness World Records titles? “My mum’s definitely jumping for joy. Dad? He’s more stoic. Probably like, ‘Well done, Son’, but I know deep down he’s proud.”
“[Dad] grew up in Nigeria, worked hard to come to this country and everything that he said he wanted to do, he got done. So yeah, Dad, following in your footsteps.”
Joshua’s advice to anyone considering a record attempt? “If you’re even thinking about doing it, go for it. I didn’t think I could at first. But now? I’m the fastest puncher in the world. Trust me, put your mind to it, lock in, and get it done.”
So, what are you waiting for? Be part of it. Your record-breaking journey might just be a full-extension punch away.