3182: Aussie in chronic pain sets world push-up record

Australian resident Daniel Scali broke the world record for the most push-ups in an hour, according to the Daily Mail. The previous record was 3054 pushups. 28-year-old Skali managed 3182 push-ups. This is the second achievement of the Australian, recorded by the Guinness Book of Records: he also holds the record for the duration of holding the plank position on the elbows - 9 hours and 30 minutes. The most amazing thing is that Scali achieved all this despite the fact that most of his life he suffers from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This pathological condition, which is characterized by chronic pain, usually develops after trauma or surgery. Scali got it at the age of 12.

“On the McGill Pain Inventory (a well-known scale for assessing pain, - editor's note.), CRPS is estimated at 42 points out of 50”, - Scali says. - For comparison, the pain during childbirth is estimated at 40. I developed this after I broke my arm. In fact, my brain tells my left hand that it hurts. Anything from a light breeze or a barely noticeable touch can cause unbearable pain. So when I take a shower, I don't wet my left hand - the water feels like a razor blade".

The pain had a huge impact on the life of the future champion. At one time, he even spent several months in the hospital, where he was constantly injected with painkillers. The way to cope with constant pain, according to Scali, was for him the sport. “Instead of living with the feeling that pain is the fuel that sustains me, I chose to think that pain is weakness leaving the body. I set my records so that other people suffering from chronic pain will know about them and so that it will give them hope. I wanted to show that we cannot protect ourselves from pain, but this should not be an obstacle to success. Though it can be tricky at times".

Breaking two world records, Scali managed to raise $61,500 for the Australian Pain Association.

The previous record for most push-ups per hour was also held by Australian Jarrad Young in 2021.