Like a fish (jumping) out of water: Egyptian record breaker shows how it's done

Omar Sayed Shaaban broke the record for highest jump while wearing a monofin

Egyptian swimmer Omar Sayed Shaaban, 21, who has broken the record for the highest out-of-water jump while wearing a monofin, arrives for a training session at Cairo Stadium Swimming Pools, Egypt. Reuters

Shaaban broke a record that had stood for nine years, according to Guinness World Records. Reuters

The Egyptian is also one of the world’s fastest sprinters underwater, reports say. Reuters

Shabaan is also a civil engineering student. Reuters

The monofin jump record title is popular in his area, Guinness World Records says, since previous record holder Soliman Sayed is not only a fellow Egyptian, but comes from Ismailia, the same city Shabaan is from. Reuters

Monofins are typically used in underwater sports such as fin swimming and free-diving. Reuters

Athletes are constantly trying to reach new heights - some of them literally.

Take a look at Egypt's Omar Sayed Shaaban, who recently entered the Guinness World Records for the highest out-of-water jump while wearing a monofin, reaching a remarkable 2.30 metres.

The 21-year-old, who trains at Cairo Stadium Swimming Pools, broke a record that had stood for nine years.

The civil engineering student took the record from Soliman Sayed, who is not only a fellow Egyptian, but comes from Ismailia, the same city as Shabaan.

Shabaan is also regarded as one of the world’s fastest sprinters underwater.

He trains three times a day, two of them in water, with a gym session in-between, and can cross 50 metres underwater on one breath in only 15.6 seconds, and 100 metres in 35.5 seconds while wearing a snorkel, according to Guinness World Records.

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