IShowSpeed a.k.a. Darren Watkins was attempting to set a world record for the most backflips in 24 hours.
The most backflips in 24 hours are currently held by Nico Scheicher of Austria, who completed 1,001 backflips in just nine hours in 2019.
Wearing a Portugal No. 7 kit with Ronaldo on the back, Darren Watkins was attempting to break the backflip world record, motivated by the incredible fitness and dedication of Cristiano Ronaldo to complete the impossible task.
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The 19-year-old Darren Watkins has made the backflip his signature move and had been practising for the last week by doing sit-ups and pushups in the run-up to his attempt at the world record.
IShowSpeed Halts After 660 Backflips in 24 Hours
During his Oct. 7 stream, IShowSpeed said,
“I’m about to do something that nobody has done before. We will be beating the world record for most backflips in 24 hours, live on stream. The current record is 1,001, and I will be beating that tomorrow. I have to do 1,002 backflips in just under 24 hours.”
The challenge is almost insurmountable, and with 19 hours still to go, the fitness expert had completed 461 backflips, nearly halfway to the record but halted due to leg cramps. Darren Watkins took a break and said that he was so tired and had been drinking electrolytes to replenish his strength. His friend had brought apple slices and peanut butter.
IShowSpeed, a well-known internet personality, took to YouTube to livestream his attempt at breaking the world record and had completed 450 backflips in around five hours. IShowSpeed had taken a break after his legs became sore but was afraid that if he took a long hiatus, the condition of his legs could worsen. However, despite a valiant effort, he hung up his boots and stated that he was quitting the challenge after doing 660 backflips in 19 hours.
IShowSpeed is a diehard fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, and his love for the footballer can be gauged from the fact that he bought a Lamborghini with Ronaldo artwork earlier this year. IShowSpeed had met Ronaldo in 2023 and was seen falling to his feet and screaming in unrestrained joy while hugging the Portugal star.
Cristiano Ronaldo is well known for his dedication to fitness, and his career is at an all-time high even at the age of 41.
According to information furnished on the Guinness World Records website, the current Most Backflips in 24 hours is 1,001 backflips, which were set in 2019 by Austrian native Nico Scheicher. Speed’s stream shows that the current record is 1,008, which he will be attempting to complete in 24 hours.
However, experts point out that there could be a problem even if IShowSpeed had broken the Most Backflips in 24 hours record since anyone attempting to break a record will have to first register with Guinness and sign an agreement before attempting to break a record. When asked, the Guinness World Records organization has stated that they are not aware of any such attempt.