- The duo has duly documented through a videography and certified by witnesses, including Chartered Accountants and Gujarat Police Department officials, as per the prescribed guidelines, which will be submitted as evidence for the World Record Attempt
NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JAN 15
Proving that determination knows no bounds, strength and conditioning coach Jesal Trivedi (47) and businesswoman Pooja Tikmani (44) achieved an extraordinary feat by attempting a Guinness World Record at the bSafal Marathon recently held in Ahmedabad. Jesal conquered a 50-kilometre run with a 40-pound backpack in an astonishing 8 hours and 45 minutes, while Pooja completed a 21.1-kilometre half-marathon carrying a 20-pound pack in just 2 hours and 34 minutes. Both await official certification of their record-breaking efforts.
The duo’s journey wasn’t just about endurance—it was a bold challenge to societal and physical limits. Their feat showcases the power of resilience, training, and a commitment to breaking barriers. The Guinness World Record attempted by Jesal and Pooja are fresh records, which means it has never been attempted by anyone so far. Their application has been accepted by the Guinness World Records in June 2024. The duo has duly documented through a videography and certified by witnesses, including Chartered Accountants and Gujarat Police Department officials, as per the prescribed guidelines, which will be submitted as evidence for the World Record Attempt.
The half-marathon was a triumph over gender stereotypes and physical challenges for Pooja. A seasoned runner with over 12 years of experience, she elevated her fitness journey under Jesal’s mentorship, completing the Ironman 70.3 in Bahrain last year.
“I have been a distance runner for years now and recently attempted being a triathlete as well and my journey towards strength training thus began. That is what led me to attempt this World Record, and I am glad I could finish it. I want to create awareness about the right kind of fitness among women, who often overlook muscle and bone health by only monitoring their weight. It is crucial for women to maintain good muscle and bone health to ensure long-term benefits,” she said.
Her achievement came with sacrifices of her personal and social time and balancing between work and personal life. She dedicated at least two hours daily for training and up to four hours over the weekends or even more.
Jesal is a former Gujarat state heavyweight boxing champion and found a new calling in strength and conditioning coaching after a shoulder injury that ended his boxing career.
Over the past decade, he has bridged the gap between gym-goers and endurance athletes.
“Strength and endurance are both equally important but of late, people aim for a certain body image influenced by social media trends and turn to fad diets, emphasising leanness over functional fitness. We wanted to show that with the right training, you can achieve excellence in both strength and endurance to be able to maintain lifelong fitness. In fact, fitness isn’t optional—it’s essential, no matter your age, gender, or profession,” Jesal said.
His months of preparation included calisthenics, strength conditioning, and tailored sports nutrition. Trivedi underlined the urgency of prioritising fitness in today’s fast-paced world.” he emphasised.
Their historic achievement at the bSafal Marathon serves as a beacon of inspiration, encouraging individuals to challenge their limits and strive for a healthier, stronger future.
