Daniel Scali has smashed the world record for the "longest time in the abdominal plank position” for a male, beating the previous record of 8 hours, 15 minutes, and 15 seconds.
Scali, from Adelaide, set the record on the 6th of August with the staggering time of 9 hours, 30 minutes, and 1 second.
The previous record was held by 62-year-old ex-marine George Hood from the USA in February 2020.
Making the feat more impressive, Scali has CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) which means his left arm is in almost constant pain.
When talking to Guinness World Records, he said the condition resulted from a severe break in his left arm when he fell off a trampoline when he was 12 years old. He said:
"It’s the brain sending wrong messages to my arm, which is the affected area. So anything like soft touch, movement, wind, water, will cause me pain.”
"It was a full head to toe experience of constant pain. My feet were numb. My knees were burning. My thighs were burning. My left arm felt like it was on fire. But it was all worth it in the end."
To prepare himself for the challenge, he said he conditioned himself for the plank with push-ups and sit-ups whilst also getting a mind coach to prepare himself mentally.
Scali has used the platform as a way to raise awareness for his condition. This year his campaign to raise funds for Pain Australia reached over $19K.
In a post on Instagram, Scali explained he attempted the record in June but due to a technicality on his form, the record was not approved. In an update, he was elated to learn to receive the confirmation from Guinness World Records, with a letter telling him, "We are thrilled to inform you that your application for Longest time in abdominal plank position (male) has been successful and you now the Guinness World Records Title Holder! You are now eligible for one complimentary Guinness World Records certificate."
Image Credit: (Guinness World Records / Youtube)