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The Guinness World Records for most pushups in eight and 12 hours have been broken, thanks to chiropractor, former bodybuilder, and vegan Dr. Joe DeMarco.
On Wednesday (May 25), DeMarco completed an eye-watering 21,008 pushups in 12 hours, surpassing the previous record of 20,085.
During the same event, he also smashed through the previous eight-hour record, performing 15,261 pushups, compared to the former record-holder’s 14,444.
The athletic feat comes off the back of DeMarco’s 20-year bodybuilding career and background in gymnastics. The 57-year-old, based in Massachusetts, has since retired from bodybuilding but still enjoys “continually challenging” himself.
“My motivation for this most recent challenge was my dog Buddha,” DeMarco wrote online. DeMarco rescued Buddha around two years ago.
“Although not much is known about Buddha’s past, I know it was not good,” he said, adding Buddha came with some “triggers.”
“He was most likely used as a guard dog as people coming through doors enrage him … With a lot of hard work and a loving home, Buddha became the sweet, lovable dog that was always deep inside of him.”
After a “very tough year,” Buddha lost the use of his back legs and developed a malignant tumor on his spleen, DeMarco disclosed. “I don’t know how much longer Buddha will be with me, but I have dedicated my latest challenge to him,” he said.
Donates money to charity
DeMarco set up a fundraiser for the Guinness World Record attempt-turn-triumph. All proceeds will go to Cape Ann Animal Aid, a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter located in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
On the fundraising website, he elaborated: “Ever since I can remember, I have had a passion for fitness and animals. Over the course of my life, I have fostered and rescued many animals that were in need.”
“My love of animals is also the reason that I maintain a 100 percent plant-based diet.”
Those interested can donate to DeMarco’s fundraiser for Cape Ann Animal Aid here.
