Member of Beijing's Swat team sets world record for holding plank position

-- PHOTO: SCREENGRAB/CHINA NEWS
-- PHOTO: SCREENGRAB/CHINA NEWS

A policeman from China has broken the world record for the "longest time in an abdominal plank position", reported various online media including China News and UK's Metro and Mirror.

According to these reports, Mao Weiding, 43, a member of the Beijing Swat team, stayed in the position for 4h 26min.

Mao smashed the previous record of 3h 7min set by American George Hood last year.

His timing was deliberate too - Mao chose to stop after 26 minutes to match his wife's birthday, April 26.

The plank is a core exercise that involves holding a difficult position for an extended period of time. Doing core exercises help to strengthen muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and stomach.

In Mao's case, he was in a push-up position, which is known as a front plank.

Watch the video here.

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