In a submerged show of strength, a freediver from Illinois recently broke the Guinness World Record for most consecutive bench presses underwater.

Greg Wittstock, a lifelong weightlifter and freediver, did 62 repetitions, smashing the previous world record of 42 reps.

Wittstock set up his underwater bench press rig at the bottom of a pond in St. Charles, Illinois. He used a 50-kilogram (110.23-pound) barbell in compliance with Guinness regulations, and he held his breath for one minute and 31 seconds to complete the feat.

Wittstock first attempted the record in September, completing 46 repetitions, but he was disqualified for not fully extending his arms on each rep. For his record-breaking attempt, made October 1, 2019, and recently verified by Guinness, Wittstock made sure every rep was in compliance.

“That was so fun,” Wittstock says in the video, after emerging from the water. “I got 62 and I got full extension all the way, so no problem this time.”

Wittstock commented on the video that would make another attempt to break his own record later this year.

"I had so much fun I’m going to attempt to do it again at Pondemonium this August!," he writes. "Thanks, Guinness for recognizing unusual achievements! We need as many distractions as possible these days!"

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