South African gymnast holds 4 Guinness World Records for most consecutive back handsprings

In one of the episodes of the Stumbo Record Breakers, a South African show that showcases the diverse talents of South Africans, Zama Mofokeng, a South African gymnast, attempted to set a brand new record for the “most full body revolutions in a backbend position in one minute,” a task that requires a great deal of flexibility and strength.

Zama’s attempt happened on August 19, 2022, in Germiston, South Africa. The initial location slated for the record attempt was the middle of an athletics field that proved difficult. According to Connie Suggit of the Guinness World Records (GWR), the dry loose grass in the athletics track was an unstable foundation and didn’t allow Zama’s feet to hold the ground firmly.”

“I think this place is too slippery, so I need to change the position,” Zama said.

“It’s very cold today, it’s about 7 or 8 degrees. The records he’s attempting are extremely physical and obviously, it gets tricky when your body can’t warm up,” said Sofia Greenacare, the official GWR adjudicator that monitored the record attempts.

However, the task was changed to a more stable ground on the athletics track, where Zama was able to complete the task successfully and won the record with 19 full-body revolutions.

He also reattempted his two previous records – “most consecutive back handsprings (interlocked hands) and “most consecutive back handsprings (alternating hands), but he couldn’t complete the tasks due to bad weather conditions.

This latest Guinness World Records title, “most full body revolutions in a backbend position in one minute – 19,” brings his tally of Guinness World Records titles to four.

The gymnast previously broke three records in 2021. On March 27, 2021, in Tembisa, South Africa, Zama broke the records for “the most consecutive back handsprings (alternating hands) – 31,” “the most consecutive back handsprings (interlocked hands) – 36,” and “most consecutive back handsprings (one hand) – 36.”

With his Guinness World Records titles, Zama aspires to inspire others to always believe in themselves and to help others understand that anything is possible and achievable. He also aims to build gymnastics schools for local youths in South Africa.

Zama was born and raised in Tembisa in South Africa, where there is no access to proper gymnastics training facilities.