Push-up man hopes third time is a charm By Amy Thon, athon@qconline.com
Photo: Jenny Butler
Moline martial arts instructor John Morrow made his third public attempt at breaking the Guinness Book of World Records' record for push-ups in a minute on Saturday afternoon. The unofficial count on his second try was 142, which, if all push-ups count, would break the record of 138. MOLINE -- The day after learning his second attempt at the world push-up record was rejected by Guinness World Records, John Morrow made a third attempt. The founder of Morrow's Academy of Martial Arts did 142 push-ups in 60 seconds in front of about 75 observers during a health fair Saturday at the Moline academy. "I don't see how they can dispute this," Mr. Morrow said after finishing. This is the third time he has gone for the world record, which stands at 138. The first was in May 2004, when he did 139 push-ups. But the attempt wasn't accepted by Guinness World Records in England because the long sleeves of his martial arts uniform obscured his arms in the videotape. For the second attempt last fall, Mr. Morrow used sophisticated biomechanical analysis equipment to document his 139 push-ups. Along with his videotape, he submitted visual three-dimensional motion data collected by the equipment at Palmer College of Chiropractic. After reviewing his tape from that attempt, Mr. Morrow noticed his form wasn't quite right for the last few and planned to try again Saturday. Friday, he got the official notice from Guinness that four push-ups from his second try didn't count. At that time, the record was 133, but another person did 138 push-ups in 60 seconds in February. "At the end, it gets hard," Mr. Morrow said. "I did beat the 133, but the new record was 138. If you're second in the world, I guess you're nothing." Mr. Morrow's Saturday attempt came on his 33rd day of fasting. For the last 30 years, the Kung Fu instructor has fasted every spring. He started with one day and added a few days every year. Last year, he fasted 40 days and hopes to add a few days this year. He said he'll stop "when I get hungry." The fasting makes him stronger each week, he said. He documents his progress in an exercise journal and said during the third and fourth weeks of the fast he is at his strongest. He's lost 20 pounds so far and said he feels stronger and leaner, which helps him do the push-ups. During the fast, Mr. Morrow drinks only water, diluted juice and has a protein drink three times a week. He actually made two attempts at the push-up record Saturday. The first time he thinks he got 141, but the counters came up with different numbers, varying from 138 to 141. "Give me five minutes," he said after the first attempt. "We'll do it again. This is really good exercise. I wish the whole room would join me." He also hopes people will be motivated to attempt a fast after seeing what he can accomplish on the 33rd day. He suggests people start with one day and build up every year, as he has. "Health would be way up," he said, if people were to fast once a year. "Just an idea." He expects to get the results from Guinness World Records in five to six months. Staff writer Amy Thon can be reached at (309) 786-6441, Ext. 208.
