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Meet the man with Type 1 Diabetes who broke 57 Guinness World Records and counting

Xochilth Salome Rodriguez Garcia

1 year ago
October 4, 2023

3 min read

Sports

INTERVIEW SUBJECT

Christian López has a degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, a Master in Research in the same area, and a PhD in Sport Sciences from the University of Castilla-La Mancha. He was born in Toledo, where he still resides, and teaches at the University Isabel I of Burgos. He is also a motivational speaker, traveling all over Spain to give motivational speeches in 2023. His most recent record included pushing a 2,200-kilogram car for 100 meters in 40 seconds and 87 one hundredths of a second.
Christian is currently preparing for his next feat: bouncing a basketball for a mile. The current record stands at 4 minutes 28 seconds.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as the Guinness Book of Records, is a reference work published annually that contains a collection of world records, both in human achievements and the natural world.
The franchise has expanded beyond the printing presses, and has spawned television series in several countries and a museum. The popularity of the franchise has made Guinness World Records the leading international authority on the verification of various world records.

TOLEDO, Spain — Every year, for Christmas, I unwrapped my gift from my grandfather, eagerly anticipating the tradition he upheld for years. His annual gift – the book of Guinness World Records – fascinated me. I read it for hours, enamored by the feats people achieved around the globe.

By the time I turned 12 years old, doctors diagnosed me with Type 1 Diabetes and delivered devastating blow. Due to my condition, they implied I could only take on low-intensity sports and I needed to supply my body with insulin for the rest of my life. As a pre-teen, I went into shock, feeling like life would never again be the same.

Then, something happened. I fire ignited inside of me – a determination to prove my capabilities and a belief I could do anything I set my mind to. Motivated by my grandfather’s gifts, I decided to pursue professional sports and break every record I could. So far, I have claimed 57 Guinness World Records.

From stair climbing to balancing a mountain bike on my chin, diabetic breaks Guinness records

In 2017, I came across a section of the Guinness World Records book touting an achievement in stair climbing. I never thought of stair climbing as a sport and it piqued my curiosity. Slowly, I began training, climbing steeper stairs with each attempt. When I finally took on my toughest task – the highest vertical climb in 24 hours – I faced the equivalent of climbing 20 floors without stopping.

As the challenge ensued, I felt like a car running out of fuel. Every muscle in my body ached and I struggled to breathe. I found it harder and harder to move as my vision blurred. Sweat covered my skin and my hands began to tremble. My diabetes exacerbated the situation as I began suffering from hypoglycemia. Desperate to persevere, I focused on my breathing and fought through the pain.

When I made it to the finish line and broke the world record, I lifted my arms into the air and jumped up and down. The pride I felt left me speechless. That first win motivated me to continue breaking records, whether that means climbing 2,082 steps while juggling three objects or balancing a 14-kilo mountain bike on my chin for 10 minutes. Overcoming my own limitations allows me motivate others and to bring awareness to Type 1 Diabetes.

Everything I do today is to honor the memory of my late grandfather, who always pushed me towards greatness. With every step I take, and with every Guinness World Record I break, I feel myself transforming into the person I’ve always dreamed of being.