No reward for THIS record holder
The Man of Herculean Strength: Mohamed Zabry in
India:
Dulshani Gunawardena
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Mohamed Zabry |
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In Action:
- His Amazing Feats
- Guinness World Records Due
- Pulled an twenty two ton aeroplane for twenty feet.
- Pushed two vans using an ‘alawanguwa’ pressed to stomach.
- Stopped a car reversing at 70kmph with his bare hands.
- Pulled forty trishaws linked together for 50 feet at a speed
of 40kmph.
Other
- Pulled five attached lorries and eight Dolphin vans
attached to body.
- Pulled five Dolphin vans with just one hand.
- Pulled four motor cycles with two attached to each hand.
- Pushed two Lorries with the right thumb while pulling another
two lorries by the middle finger of the left hand. Pulled five
vehicles with a barbed wire wound around his neck. |
The scorching sun beat upon him. It was not yet ten in the morning,
yet the air was typically humid with dust. It was just another day for
Chennai. For all except the crowds gathered at the sides of a dusty
road.
And of course, for all except Mohamed Zabry.
Four motors, each nearly one and a half ton, stood motionless on the
empty road. They were joined together by lengths of thick cord.
Zabry stood in front of the whole apparatus. Around his neck was a
loop of barbed wire, its edges glinting in the sun. Another cord joined
the coil to the vehicles before him.
Zabry flexed his muscles, frowning in concentration. He could feel
the rush of blood as the barbed wire ate into his flesh. He pulled,
pulled and pulled. His body was tense, his muscles stretched. Still he
pulled.
Finally he felt the jeeps budge. The crowd broke into wild applause.
This would be the first of four amazing feats that Mohamed Zabry
would perform enthusiastically through six long, gruelling hours.
In November 2009, Daily News featured Mohamed Zabry-a simple
shoemaker from Panadura who had discovered and nurtured the amazing
strenght within him, going on to perform many a mind blowing feat.
April proved to be an unforgettable month for Zabry. His feats had
caught the eye of D.H.Addehamy, an Indian TV announcer of Sri Lankan
origin.
At Addehamy’s request, Mohamed Zabry received an invitation from the
Chennai based Kalaignar TV to appear on their show ‘Dil Dil Manadil’.
Kalaignar TV is a prominent South Indian TV station, airing in several
countries in the world.
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Pulling a jeep |
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Circling a barbed wire around his neck |
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Pulling a bus |
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Pulling more than one turbo jeeps |
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In action |
In India, Zabry was featured on air in four programs with Kalaignar
TV. He says that the experience, in which he had to shoot all programs
in one long session of six hours, was one that tested his perseverance
and energy.
The feat of the barbed wire was his first feat. His second venture
was one of his favourites. With one thumb he pushed a jeep,
simultaneously pulling another jeep with the other.
Then came the crowning glory of the day. Zabry had decided to take
the chance of performing a feat he had not even practiced previously.
Sitting on the ground, he pulled a bus from ten metres away towards
himself. The bus weighted approximately two and a half tons. The program
was capped by another Zabry favourite in which he pulled two motor
cycles from either side towards himself.
“It was an amazing experience” he said. “I had immense media
co-operation. Actually, I found myself more recognized there than in Sri
Lanka.”
Mohamed Zabry is of humble origins: forty years old, a father of
three and a shoemaker by profession. A sports enthusiast since his
school days, he was struck by a magazine clipping of an Australian
hauling a truck.
Suddenly inspired, he spontaneously started off by pushing his
brother’s rickshaw with just one finger. He would go on to perform many
one-of-a-kind feats. In October last year he would reach the zenith of
his strength, when he pulled a twenty two ton aeroplane for twenty
metres in Ratmalana.
Zabry enthusiastically says that he hopes to appear for more programs
with Kalaignar TV and had even received offers from South Indian film
directors.
Yet it is not all smooth sailing for this man of Herculean strength.
Financial backing, he says, is the major bottleneck.
Despite his amazing feats, and four Guinness world records due,
Mohamed Zabry is still a man struggling to earn his daily bread.
“The greatest problem I have” Zabry says dejectedly. Is the lack of a
sponsor. I even had to pay the expenses for my trip to India. I have
given up my shoemaking business as to solely dedicate myself to increase
my potential. Yet I am discouraged as I cannot continue on my own. I
have already set many records, yet see no prospects ahead. Each man is
blessed with his own unique talent. Mohamed Zabry is one who has proved
himself well and truly, over and over again.
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs and affluent citizen, over to
you...
Mohamed Zabry can be reached via Tel. 0777657056 or at his home at
43/B, Mosque Road, Gorakana, Keselwatta, Panadura. |
