A 49-year-old strongman from Aruba has earned his 10th Guinness World Records title after pulling a bus weighing more than 21,000 pounds using only his neck. Egmond Molina completed the feat on January 9 by pulling a 21,737-pound bus for more than 65 feet while attached to a rope secured around his neck, Guinness World Records confirmed this week. The achievement officially gave Molina the record for the “heaviest vehicle pulled by the neck,” surpassing the previous mark of 17,769.26 pounds set by Ukrainian athlete Dmytro Hrunskyi in 2024. Guinness World Records said Molina completed the challenge under strict supervision and measurement standards required for official certification. ‘A psychological battle’ Molina described the attempt as physically painful and mentally exhausting because the rope compressed his airway throughout the challenge. “With the rope compressing my airway, I must generate force while carefully controlling my breathing under intense strain,” Molina told Guinness World Records. “It becomes a psychological battle to remain composed while the body is under severe stress,” he added. Video released by Guinness showed Molina leaning forward while slowly dragging the large vehicle across the marked distance. Spectators and officials watched closely as he completed the attempt. Strongman competitions often involve extreme pulling challenges using trucks, buses, planes and trains. However, neck-pulling records remain among the rarest because of the high physical risk involved. Sports experts say such stunts require years of conditioning focused on neck strength, breathing control and body stability. Athletes also train extensively to avoid spinal and muscular injuries. Molina now holds 10 Guinness titles The latest achievement marks Molina’s 10th Guinness World Records title and further strengthens his reputation as one of Aruba’s most unusual sporting figures. His previous records include the fastest 20-meter bus pull with one finger in 33.32 seconds and the fastest 20-meter tram pull with teeth in 39.9 seconds. He also holds records for the fastest hot water bottle burst at 2.87 seconds and the most crown cap bottles opened with both hands in 30 seconds with six bottles. Molina said he dedicates his achievements to his family and the younger generation in Aruba. “My records are a tribute to my people and my family’s enduring legacy,” he said. He also named his children, Nigel, Egmond Junior, Benjamin and Adelinda, while speaking about the inspiration behind his record attempts. Aruba, a small Dutch Caribbean island known mainly for tourism, has produced several athletes in baseball, martial arts and endurance sports. Molina’s Guinness achievements have drawn international attention to the island in recent years. Guinness World Records regularly features extreme strength and endurance challenges, though officials stress that such attempts should only occur under professional supervision and safety protocols.
YouTuber Solves Rubik’s Cube While Skydiving in Record Time
Tom Kopke, a 23-year-old content creator known as Tooleko on YouTube, has set a new Guinness World Record by solving a rotating puzzle cube while skydiving. Kopke completed the challenge in 23.333 seconds during a freefall jump over Mossel Bay in February. He opened his parachute moments after finishing the puzzle, securing the record under strict timing conditions. The feat surpassed the previous record of 28.25 seconds set in 2023 by Sam Sieracki. Guinness World Records confirmed the attempt, which required solving the cube entirely during freefall before deploying the parachute. The timing excludes parachute descent and begins once the cube is first handled in the air. From Hobby to High-Risk Challenge Kopke said his journey with the puzzle began years earlier. “I first solved the Rubik’s cube when I was 18 and practiced a lot back then,” he told Guinness World Records. “I even made a video attempting some crazy Rubik’s cube challenges, where I also said that one day I would solve it while skydiving,” he added. Read More: Swimmer Survives 34-Mile Crocodile River Challenge in Record Time The idea remained on hold for some time due to a key requirement. Kopke needed a skydiving license before attempting such a high-risk stunt. He later trained in skydiving as part of a broader plan to create extreme content. “I always wanted to learn skydiving because I have a lot more crazy skydiving videos planned, and I thought it would be really cool to start this journey with a clear goal in mind, which was to break the record,” he said. Experts say combining speedcubing with skydiving adds multiple layers of difficulty. Wind resistance, body control and time pressure make even simple hand movements more complex in freefall. Precision, Practice and Risk Kopke highlighted the importance of preparation before attempting the jump. He practiced extensively to ensure he could handle the cube mid-air without losing control. “I practiced a lot with the cube in the air so I got used to it,” he said. One of his biggest concerns was dropping the cube during the descent. Losing grip would have ended the attempt instantly. “The most dangerous part is actually the handover, kind of like in track and field where a lot of mistakes happen during the baton exchange,” he explained. Skydiving records often involve strict safety oversight, with backup measures in place to protect participants. While Kopke focused on speed, he also had to manage altitude awareness to deploy his parachute on time. Read More: Man Sets Bizarre Guinness World Record by Passing Balloons Through Nose and Mouth The achievement reflects a growing trend of combining extreme sports with skill-based challenges for online audiences. Content creators increasingly push boundaries to capture attention, but experts caution that such stunts require professional training and safety planning. Kopke said he plans to take a short break before deciding his next challenge. He hinted at more ambitious skydiving content in the future, building on his latest record.
