Meet Muhammad Arshad: Pakistani athlete breaks own thumb push‑ups record with 66 in one minute

A Pakistani athlete has once again made his mark on the global stage by breaking his own world record for thumb push‑ups. Muhammad Arshad, a strength athlete from Pakistan, completed 66 thumb push‑ups with one leg raised in one minute, earning a new Guinness World Records title on May 4, 2025.The achievement was officially recognised by Guinness World Records, which confirmed that Arshad’s performance is the highest number of thumb push‑ups completed in 60 seconds while maintaining the required posture. Guinness lists him as the record holder for the most thumb push‑ups with one leg raised in one minute (male), a category that tests both strength and balance.Arshad’s record‑breaking performance took place in Karachi, Pakistan, where he has trained extensively.

The attempt required him to balance on his thumbs while executing push‑ups and keep one leg raised at a strict angle throughout the one‑minute period. This method is significantly more difficult than standard push‑ups because it places enormous pressure on the thumbs and requires exceptional core strength to maintain balance.This is not Arshad’s first world record. He is known for holding multiple strength‑related titles, having set and reclaimed records in the past.

His dedication to physical conditioning and endurance training has seen him become one of Pakistan’s most recognised strength athletes in recent years.The Guinness World Records report describes the attempt as a test of physical and mental resilience, noting that participants must follow strict guidelines to meet the criteria. Besides the push‑up count, judges pay close attention to body posture and the angle of the raised leg throughout the attempt.Arshad began his athletic journey in his home country, training without easy access to advanced facilities. According to the Guinness report, his early interest in strength training was sparked by bodyweight exercises he practised at home, and he steadily built his capabilities over the years. Arshad said that the uniqueness and difficulty of thumb push‑ups were what drew him to repeatedly attempt and improve on the record.He described the latest achievement as “a moment of immense pride and happiness,” adding that his determination, hard work and faith helped him overcome the challenge. Arshad hopes his journey will inspire younger athletes in Pakistan and beyond to pursue international recognition even with limited resources.Previously, on February 19, 2023, Arshad set the Guinness World Record for the most thumb push-ups with both arms in one minute, completing 89 push-ups. On April 26, 2024, he held the record for the most thumb push-ups with one leg raised in one minute, completing 60 push-ups. He has also achieved the record for the most four-finger push-ups in one minute, performing 101 on 24 November 2024, and set records for fingertip push-ups while carrying a 40 lb pack.