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We're guessing your middle school math teacher probably couldn't do this ...
That is Kyle Gurkovich. Back in June, the 28-year-old New Jersey resident broke the world record for most pullups in 24 hours, performing a muscle-achingly incredible 4,182. That's more than 2.9 per minute — for an entire day!
While obviously an amazing achievement, it's one with a very personal meaning for Gurkovich.
According to The Star-Ledger, one of the students at his school died of cancer at just 14. A childhood friend of Gurkovich's died in 2007, also of cancer, so he says he knew how his students felt and wanted to do something to help.
So he came up with the pullups idea, which, as you can imagine, was no easy feat.
The previous record-holder, David Goggins, took three attempts to set the record, twice pulling out with injuries. And he's a Navy SEAL. (Video via Vimeo / Experience Your Potential)
And Military Times reports Washington-based sailor Mike McCastle had to pull out of a recent attempt after just more than 3,200 pullups.
And if those guys struggle, you know it's hard, which we think makes Gurkovich maybe the coolest, toughest math teacher in the country.
Thursday, Gurkovich appeared on "Fox & Friends" where not only did Guinness recognize his record as official — "You are officially amazing" — but the CEO of Retro Fitness also presented him with a check for $5,000.
That money, along with $3,060 Gurkovich raised during his record attempt, will go to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where his friend and the student were treated.
Gurkovich told The Star-Ledger he'll try to break his own record in November. We ache all over just thinking about it ...
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