75-year-old Quebecer becomes oldest man to perform a headstand
At 75 years old, a Quebecer has claimed the world record for the oldest male to perform a headstand.
Tanios "Tony" Helou of Deux-Montagnes, Que., who originally performed the feat on Oct. 16, 2021, says he’s "not shy" to get upside down – not near his family, or in public places like parks, or even at the grocery store.
"My friends think I am very strong, and my family worries I may hurt myself but that hasn't happened," he said in a release from Guinness World Records.
He's been walking on his hands since he was a young man but pushed his hobby into a record-breaking stunt by notching up his training when he was 55.
He follows a regimented daily routine: every morning, he gets up early and runs 15-20 minutes to get his coffee. After that, he does a handstand, and then 20 push-ups.
His daughter, Rola Helou, encouraged him to go for the world record. She recalled one particularly acrobatic episode on her 15th birthday when he bought her a new 10-speed bicycle.
"We were at a park having a picnic and my dad rode up to us on my new bike, except he was doing a headstand on the bike as it was rolling," she said in the release.
"My dad immigrated from Lebanon 45 years ago. When he retired 10 years ago, he did not know what to do with himself because he had always worked so hard," she continued.
"Renewing his commitment to fitness has kept him sane and enabled him to stay in good physical health."
"If my story can inspire others to stay healthy, it would make me very happy."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.