Former paratrooper and fired-up Christian Terry Gibbon, 55 aims to break the world record for doing the most sit-ups in one hour during an event at Viva Gym, Gqeberha (PE), on Saturday.
He says he is doing it to raise funds for Men of Honour, a men’s group that has helped to steady his Christian walk, for the glory of God, and to inspire anybody who has self doubts that with Jesus anything is possible.
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The current official 1-hour world record for full sit ups is 2 477 and is held by Guy Schott of the USA. To put it in perspective, equalling the record means doing 41 full sit ups (shoulders must touch ground and elbows must touch thighs) per minute for 60 minutes. Terry, who has been training for his attempt since February says he wants to “shatter the world record to the honour of God” by completing 2 600 to 2 700 in an hour.
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Terry played rugby and was an endurance runner in his 20s. But he had to stop these sports after injuring his knees and undergoing four knee operations. Fortunately, he has been able to pursue his passion for endurance sports with low-impact gym exercises — especially sit-ups.
The Viva Gym in the Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre in 17th Avenue, Walmer will be open to the public from 12 noon to 1pm on Saturday (May 28) for anybody who would like to come and watch Terry’s record bid and stand a chance to win sponsored prizes.
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Terry told Gateway News that Men of Honour, a support group for men battling with addictions, broken relationships or any other personal struggles, helped him find victory over drug and alcohol abuse and to renew his faith in Jesus. The group meets at Oasis Church in Charlo at 6.30pm on Mondays and welcomes men from any background who are battling with issues and is committed to supporting them with brotherly love and the Word of God. The group also serves the community through handing out blankets to the homeless and “Jesus jeans” to those in need. You can find out more about Men of Honour on their Facebook page and you can support their Kingdom work by paying a donation to their Capitec account number 166 327 7719.
Terry says his record attempt on Saturday will be live-streamed to his father’s room in a frail care centre in Cape Town. He says he hopes to make his dad proud.
A former salesman and qualified personal trainer, Terry is currently unemployed. His dream is to open a fitness training centre at his church. He also hopes to raise funds through further sit ups world record attempts, with the five minutes record, 30 minutes record, 2 000 sit ups time record and two hour record all in his sights.
He believes his record bid on Saturday, coinciding with the restoration of his relationship with Jesus, is a result of God’s timing. Two previous plans to pursue the record were cancelled because of Covid restrictions.
“I want to do it [break sit ups records] to honour God. I hope to inspire people who will look and say: ‘If this guy, at 55, with his background, can do such physical feats, then any miracle is possible in my life.’
“I want to use it as a testimony.”
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