NYU Abu Dhabi Athletes Break Guinness World Records Title Virtually

An outstanding achievement by NYUAD athletes who broke the record for the most chest to ground burpees

Abu Dhabi – June 11, 2020:  A group of six athletes from NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) broke the Guinness World Records title for the most chest to ground burpees in 24 hours. While the minimum number of burpees required to break the record was 6,000, the team managed to perform double the amount, finishing 12,502 burpees in the allocated time. 

The winning team consisted of HUA Fitness Trainer at NYUAD, Guinness World Records record-breaker Eva Clarke, Post-doctoral Associate in Psychology at NYUAD Ivan Camponogara, Assistant Director of Wellness at NYUAD Daniel Gill, as well as NYUAD Class of 2020 alumni Tereza Petrovicova, Brandon Chin Loy, and Anna Erdi.

Throughout their attempt, the team was joined virtually by two official witnesses at a time and received encouraging messages during the live conference call held by the Guinness World Records team. 

“As the pandemic wore on, we wanted to show that people could still be physically active and achieve most goals set out,” said Gill.

Gill added: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to inspire the NYUAD community as well as the wider global community during this trying time. We are looking forward to continuing to lead conversations on maintaining an active lifestyle through NYUAD’s initiatives and programs.”

Clarke commented: "COVID-19 has certainly imposed things on us that we could not control, but we all still had a choice on how we were going to remember 2020."

She added: "Attempting this record gave us the chance to take absolute ownership of the situation we found ourselves in. I wholeheartedly knew that our team would be setting a new record this year. None of the records I have ever set have been as rewarding and memorable as the one set with my NYUAD team mates. This record has taught me that there is much greater joy in achieving greatness with others. I hope this team attempt is the first of many."

As this period of training is different but nonetheless valuable, the team was trying to make the most of the unusual circumstances and demonstrate to viewers from around the world the importance of staying physically active in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“My four years of training with Eva and the team culminated in this challenge, I never thought I could do this many burpees and especially not in my room in an online challenge. I hope that we inspired others to set their own fitness goals and stay active during the lockdown,” said Petrovicova, who celebrated her graduation on May 27, during a special virtual Commencement attended by over 7,100 viewers from around the world. 

Erdi, who also celebrated her graduation on the same day added, “Mind and body are linked together. There is no time for moping around, as all it takes is just one decision to change your attitude 180 degrees. Once that decision is taken, normal will be different. It will not be the same normal, but it can be a better normal.”