Martial arts instructor makes second try for push-up record By Amy Thon, athon@qconline.com
Photo: Jenny Butler
John Morrow, a martial arts instructor from Moline, takes no chances Friday as he goes for the Guinness World Record for number of push-ups in a minute. His attempt in May to break the record was not accepted because the long sleeves he wore obscured his arms in the videotape. Not only did we wear short sleeves this time, he also used sophisticated biomechanical analysis equipment. Mr. Morrow's unofficial count was 139, breaking the record of 133. "Doing great." "Seventy-two at 30 seconds." Beep. Beep. Beep. "I got you at 139, John." When the timer went off after one minute, Tim O'Neill, John Morrow's coach, had counted 139 push-ups -- making the martial artist from Moline the new world record holder for doing the most push-ups in 60 seconds. The previous record was 133. And this time, he can prove it. Mr. Morrow, founder of Morrow's Academy of Martial Arts, tried in May to break the world record, set in 2003. However, those 139 push-ups in a minute were not accepted by Guinness World Records in England because the long sleeves of his martial arts uniform obscured his arms in the videotape. Mr. Morrow took no chances Friday. Not only did he wear a sleeveless shirt, he also used sophisticated biomechanical analysis equipment. His chiropractor, Dr. Dennis Borja, suggested he make the attempt at the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, where he could use its technology. In addition to a videotape of his attempt, Mr. Morrow will supply Guinness officials with numerical and visual three-dimensional motion data collected by Palmer's equipment. His arms, legs and back were outfitted with sensors that created a digital image of Mr. Morrow's movements. "There's no way they can argue with it now," Dr. Borja said. Mr. Morrow's first attempt Friday night wasn't recorded with the biomechanical analysis equipment because it malfunctioned. He did 137 push-ups that time before he learned he'd have to try again five minutes later. "Just as he started, the system had an error," said Caelyn Nagle, biomechanics research technician. Mr. Morrow said he felt good after beating the record. "It's a culmination of years of work. Under the scrutiny of computer sensors, it came through," he said. "It's kind of fun to be able to have all that technology." He hoped breaking the world record would inspire others. "I want to remind people -- I'm 52-- not to give up on their body," he said, "not to give up on their life." Staff writer Amy Thon can be reached at (309) 786-6441, Ext. 208.
