DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A Pakistani martial arts athlete from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, known for achieving 70 Guinness World Records, plans to open a branch of his Lion’s Den Fight Club in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the next few months to train students of mixed martial arts (MMA) in the Gulf country.
Irfan Mehsood, a 33-year-old native of Pakistan’s South Waziristan tribal district, holds more than 50 world records, including for most push-ups, squats, jumping jacks and squat thrusts with 100lbs in one minute.
Having dedicated the past eight years to running his fight club in the Dera Ismail Khan district, Mehsood now plans to visit the UAE to assess the situation and identify a suitable place to open a facility of his own without going into partnership with anyone.
“We have two branches of our club in Dera Ismail Khan,” he said. “I plan to open its branch in Dubai within the next few months because Dubai is turning into an international hub for martial arts.”
Irfan Mehsood (right) trains a student at Lion’s Den Fight Club in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, on July 13, 2023. (AN photo)
Years of militancy have taken a toll on the indigenous social life of Pakistan’s northwestern tribal belt, which previously thrived with traditional dance festivals, poetry contests, and lively sports competitions.
The destructive actions of militant factions, including targeting cricket grounds and sports stadiums, have significantly impacted organized sports in these areas.
Undeterred in his mission despite these challenges, Mehsood maintains an optimistic outlook, believing that his students will emerge as ambassadors and project a positive image of Pakistan on the global stage.
“I have 70 Guinness World Records approved so far,” he said. “My club has a total of 90-plus Guinness World Records approved.”
With a track record of training over 500 students since the club’s inception in 2015, Mehsood has consistently nurtured talent and guided his students toward success.
The club has produced over 20 students who have achieved remarkable success, earning gold medals at both national and international competitions. Sixteen of them boast of being mentioned by the Guinness Book.
“I trained for five years at the Lion’s Den Fight Club,” said one of his notable students, Muhammad Zeeshan, who holds a record in the MMA category. “Now I am a personal trainer in Dubai.”
Muhammad Zeeshan, a record holder in the MMA category, speaks to Arab News in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, on July 15, 2023. (AN photo)
At just seven years old, Salaar Mehsud stands as the youngest student at the club, proudly holding the Guinness World Record for the “most one-handed cartwheels.” The official certificate recognizes him for achieving an impressive 26 one-handed cartwheels in 30 seconds on November 17, 2022.
Additionally, another talented student of Mehsood’s, Younas Khan, currently in the 10th grade, has earned the distinction of being recognized as the fastest punching athlete worldwide.
“I plan to become a professional boxer and represent Pakistan on international level,” Khan told Arab News.
Salaar Mehsud, the youngest student, is pictured holding the Guinness World Record for the “most one-handed cartwheels” in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, on July 13, 2023. (AN photo)
At the Lion’s Den Fight Club, training encompasses a diverse range of activities, including running barefoot for miles under the sun, practicing MMA, boxing, kickboxing, and gymnastics. Students of all age groups participate in these training sessions, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.
Mehsood, who holds a master’s degree in business administration and another degree in sports sciences, fled his hometown of South Waziristan 13 years ago, as the country launched a military offensive against militants in the violence-stricken region. Since then, he has dedicated himself to achieving fitness records and promoting martial arts.
According to him, qualifying for a Guinness World Record is a meticulous and time-consuming process, requiring international team approval to validate the legitimacy of the records. Despite that challenge, he maintains that he is determined in his pursuit of recognition.
Currently, Mehsood is focusing on training himself and his students to represent Pakistan in various capacities.
“On the Pakistan level, the youngest athlete who got his name registered in the Guinness World Record is from my club,” he said. “We have broken over 20 records previously held by Indian athletes.”
