From humble beginnings to Guinness world record: Chinmay Sharma shatters martial arts limits with 6 ft 9-inch kick
by ShravyaIn an awe-inspiring moment in northern India’s Delhi, Chinmay Sharma achieved his eighth Guinness World Record by performing the highest unassisted martial arts 360 kick, reaching an impressive height of 2.08 meters (6 ft 9 in).
The record-breaking feat unfolded in the New Delhi district on August 4.
Visuals showed Sharma executing the Tang Soo Do kick, a Korean martial arts technique, with remarkable ease. His companions erupted in cheers, celebrating the monumental achievement. The atmosphere was electric with joy, reflecting the pride and happiness surrounding Sharma’s success.
Speaking to Newslions, Chinmay Sharma revealed that his martial arts journey began at the age of five when his brother enrolled him in martial arts classes. Initially unaware of where this path would lead, Sharma could not have imagined how fulfilling and impactful it would become for him and for India.
In 2009, he started competing professionally in taekwondo tournaments. Over the years, Sharma trained in diverse martial arts forms such as Tang Soo Do, ske martial arts, and taekwondo, making him a well-rounded martial artist. By 2013-2014, he realized martial arts had grown beyond being just a routine—it had become his passion and purpose.
A state-level medalist, Sharma aspired to represent India on international platforms. However, his journey was fraught with challenges and setbacks. A turning point came when a friend suggested he aim for world records to represent India globally. Taking this advice to heart, Sharma began intense practice for records in 2019 and continued until mid-2020.
His perseverance paid off in July 2021, when he achieved his first Guinness World Record, fueling his motivation. Despite failures and hardships, he pushed forward and reached his latest milestone: the highest unassisted martial arts 360 kick (male) at 2.08 meters (6 ft 9 in). He remarked that the record was particularly challenging for him due to his height of 5’7″, noting it might have been easier for a taller person. Sharma emphasized the rigorous one-and-a-half months of flexibility training required to achieve this feat.
Currently, Sharma runs his own martial arts academy, training students in various disciplines. He cited former Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri as his inspiration, saying, “I believed he was bigger than football in India, and I hoped to become a name synonymous with martial arts, just like Chhetri’s name was with football.”
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