Mighty Mortals

As of this writing, the facts and figures on this article taken from Muscle and Fitness magazine could very well be disputed, but otherwise, it's still fun to go thru the list of mankind's surreal accomplishments of the past three years.

Every now and then, we get impressive physical achievements from mainstream athletes, record-breaking lifts from iron pumpers and some ridiculously peculiar feats of strength best defined in the believe-it-or-not category. As we go thru the list, these are just some of the acts of might that makes us wonder if these beings are human.

World's Strongest Men - Ever heard of the competition with the same title? If yes, then train-pulling, Atlas stone throw and farmer's walk are familiar to you. Poland's Mariusz Pudzianowski, nicknamed "The Dominator" is the strongest and biggest of them all. At 6'1", 288 lbs and with less than 7% of body fat, the 27 year old's biodata includes the last two World Strongman titles, a 562-pound bench press, 22-inch biceps and a couple of 17-inch forearms. Oh yes, forearms!

1005 pound Bench - At the International Powerlifting Association Nationals in Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania, Gene Rychlak Jr. on Nov 21, 2004 bench-pressed, that's right - 1005 pounds! Using a specially made bench press shirt, the 6'1", 385 lbs Rychlak became the first-ever humanoid to bench quadruple figures. Just like lifting three Shaquilles in a single heave.

Three World Records In A Day - Women's weightlifting record books were flipping crazy when China's 19-year old Liu Chunhong made the best one day performance at the Athens Olympics. On August 19, 2004, the 5'5", 155 lbs light heavyweight Liu broke records with each of her five lifts and ended the day with three world bests - snatch (270 lbs), clean and jerk (337 lbs) and total (607 lbs). Her secret - apples. Back in China, her parents run an orchard and apples are her favorite snack. Did I hear a mad rushing to the fruit stands?

World's Strongest Tongue - On September 11, 2004, Briton Thomas Blackthorn, during the TV special "Guinness World Records: 50 Years, 50 Records" recorded at London Television Studios, hooked more than 24 pounds to a stud in his tongue and lifted it off the ground. Hey you guys with studded tongues, don't try this at home, at work or anywhere else... especially if you've been drinking. Unless you wish your tongue to be like that of a snake. Seriously, don't even think about it.

Pinkie Lift - On that same show, another Briton, Barry Anderson lifted an 88-pound bar using his two little fingers thereby setting a new Guinness World Record. And you thought hauling all those Fooda or SM grocery bags from the back of the car was impressive. What's with these Brits anyway?

136-pound Beard Lift - Still on the same show and not wanting to be outdone, Lithuanian Antanas Kontrimas, who hasn't shaved for more than 25 years and with whiskers measuring some 20 inches, lifted a 136-pound woman 4 inches off the ground using only his beard, also setting a new Guinness record. Previously, Kontrimas did the same stunt with a sack of grains, a TV host and a keg of his homemade beer. Oh yeah, beer had to be involved in this endeavor. Well, strapping up his beard, he has also pulled a Land Rover, a sports plane and a Jeep with five passengers. Who needs a tow truck when you have Kontrimas nearby.

Heaviest Truck Pull - Rev. Kevin Fast, a Doctor of Theology from Ontario, Canada has been a leader in pulling and thowing extremely heavy objects for several years. Reading online that an Australian had unofficially broken his record for the 100-foot vehicle pull, Fast arranged for the greatest tug of his career. Lining and tying-up three firetrucks together with a total weight of 102,933 pounds, Fast pulled them more than 100 feet in a little over two minutes on a street lined with fans. Feeling very sick after the feat, Fast announced his retirement. A classic case of a preacher refusing to be humbled and by golly, gee, wow - we have lots of them here.

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Aside from the regular jerseys, shorts and shoes coveted as memorabilia items at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, another memorabilia is a hit among diehards, specifically Italians living and working in Germany. A chunk of grass at the Berlin Olympic Stadium where the finals were held are a hot item. Roughly the size of a regular cd, it is encased in acrylic and sells for 75 pounds, converted to peso, its about P7,300.

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15 beautiful years. That's the best that I can describe with the time I'm having with my son, Emil. I wish you all best, all the luck, all the success and the possible blessings that in your early life, you will find contentment and happiness. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Part!