India has always been a land of extraordinary athletes who have etched their names in the history books and made us proud on the international stage by shattering records and redefining limits.
Among the latest to capture the world’s attention is Surat’s own Vispy Kharadi, a powerhouse of strength and grit who recently went viral for his mind-bending feat in the Hercules Pillars Hold challenge.
It is a brutal test of strength and endurance, originating from strongman competitions. While performing this task, the participant is required to grip and hold two massive pillars weighing over 160 kg each, suspended in mid-air, without any support. It’s named after the mythological demigod Hercules, symbolizing raw, unwavering endurance.
Vispy defied the odds by holding the pillars for an astonishing 2 minutes and 10.75 seconds, smashing the previous Guinness World Record of 1 minute and 32 seconds.
The magnitude of his task didn’t just echo through gyms and Guinness halls—it took the internet by storm. Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his love of innovation and strength in all forms, couldn’t resist sharing the moment with the world.
He reposted the video originally shared by Guinness World Records’ official X page, propelling Vispy's name into a global spotlight and setting social media ablaze.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll be surprised that Vispy doesn’t just hold one title. Instead, he’s the force behind 14 more record-breaking feats. Naturally, this raises the question: Who is Vispy Kharadi—the man who’s turned heads, lifted pillars, and captured the internet’s imagination? To uncover the story behind the steel, read on.
Who is Vispy Kharadi, the Steel Man of India?
Beyond the spotlight, before the Guinness plaques, and even before his name was a trending hashtag, Vispy Kharadi was just a boy in Surat, Gujarat. Born on January 27th, 1980, into a middle-class Parsi family, Vispy’s early life was shaped by a culture that prized discipline, humility, and quiet perseverance.
Like any other ordinary boy, Vispy Kharadi’s early journey followed a conventional path. He began his professional career in the corporate world — clocking the usual 9 to 5, balancing spreadsheets by day and sharpening his martial arts skills by night.
As it turns out, beneath the crisp formal clothing, there was a different fire burning. The credit for that goes to Vispy's curiosity about martial arts from a very young age. For him, it was not just a hobby but a way of life.
He religiously practised the discipline, and with unwavering commitment, he reached physical and mental mastery of different art formats. Over the years, he has earned multiple black belts, each a milestone of his transformation. Today, Vispy proudly holds:
5th Degree Black Belt in Karate.
3rd Dan Black Belt in Kudo.
2nd Dan Black Belt in Kenjutsu.
1st Dan Black Belt in Aikijujutsu.
1st Dan Black Belt in Judo.
1st Dan Black Belt in Kobudo
1st Dan Black Belt in Krav Maga
Records Broken by Vispy Kharadi
Vispy Kharadi’s journey into the world of record-breaking began not with a bang but with quiet resilience. 1. Most Layered Human and Nail Bed Sandwich (5 Layers) – 2010
In 2010, he debuted on the national television show Ab India Todegaa, lying flat at the base of a five-layer human and nail bed sandwich—yes, real nails. It was India’s first real taste of what Vispy was capable of: strength wrapped in serenity, danger met with discipline.
2. Most Layered Human and Nail Bed Sandwich (6 Layers) – 2014
By 2014, the world came calling. Vispy and his team were invited to Milan, Italy, where they broke their record by adding another layer to the human nail tower. He remained at the bottom, bearing over 942 kg on his chest. It wasn’t just about muscle. It was about stillness, trust, and an almost meditative calm under crushing pressure.
3. Most Layered Human and Nail Bed Sandwich (8 Layers) – 2017
In 2017, they went bigger—eight layers. That’s eight human beings stacked above a bed of nails, with Vispy shouldering the burden of 1,236 kg. He made it look surreal, but behind that composure was a man who had spent years training his body and mind to stay unshaken in the face of pain.
4. Most Watermelons Cut on the Stomach with a Katana in 1 Minute – 2017
The same year, Vispy took a sharp turn — quite literally — by allowing a Japanese Katana sword to slice 49 watermelons on his abdomen in 60 seconds. It wasn’t just about having abs of steel. It was about trust in his team, timing that borders on the supernatural, and nerves that don’t flinch.
5. Most Watermelons Cut on the Stomach on a Bed of Nails with Katana – 2018
And just when you thought he’d peaked, in 2018, he lay on a bed of nails while 37 watermelons were cut on his stomach with that same razor-sharp Katana. That moment was equal parts terrifying and awe-inspiring.
6. Most Layered Human and Nail Bed Sandwich (9 Layers) – October 23, 2019
Then came October 23, 2019, a date that would go down as one of Vispy’s most intense performance days. First, he became the base of a nine-layer human and nail bed sandwich, bearing an estimated 1,400 kg.
7. Most Iron Rods Bent with Neck in 1 Minute – October 23, 2019
Later that same day, he bent 21 iron rods with nothing but the force of his neck, doubling the previous world record. Who does that? Vispy does.
8. Most Drink Cans Crushed by Hand in 1 Minute – October 4, 2022
By October 2022, Vispy was no longer just a martial artist or a strongman. He was a force of nature. On October 4, he crushed 89 drink cans with his bare hands in one minute.
9. Most Concrete Blocks Broken with Elbow in 1 Minute – October 4, 2022
He followed that up by breaking 64 concrete blocks with his elbow. The power, precision, and pain tolerance required for this feat were beyond belief.
10. Heaviest Concrete Block Broken on a Bed of Nails – October 4, 2022
To close that unforgettable day, he lay on a bed of nails while a 528 kg concrete slab was shattered above him. Three records in one day. One man, unstoppable will.
11. Heaviest Concrete Block Broken on Nail Bed – February 6, 2023
In February 2023, Vispy returned to Milan and showed the world he still had more to give. On the 6th, he helped break a 964.80 kg concrete block while lying on a nail bed.
12. Most people on a one-inch bed of nails sandwich– February 9, 2023
On the 9th, he supported 11 people in a human-nail sandwich layered just an inch apart. It was a performance of strength, teamwork, and unflinching focus.
13. Most people in a one-inch bed of nails sandwich – November 11, 2024
On November 11, 2024, ten people set a Guinness World Record in Surat, India by forming a one-inch bed of nails sandwich—alternating between humans and nail boards. Actor Akshay Kumar broke a concrete slab on top, adding dramatic flair to the feat.
14. Longest duration holding Hercules Pillars (male) – November 11, 2024
On the same day, Vispy Kharadi also set the Guinness World Record for holding two Hercules pillars weighing over 335 kg combined for 2 minutes and 10.75 seconds. The act demonstrated extraordinary physical strength, endurance, and mental focus.
15. Heaviest Weight Endured on Body – February 12, 2025
But it was on February 12, 2025, that Vispy achieved his most jaw-dropping feat yet. He endured a weight of 1,819 kg, nearly two small cars, on his body. Most people would panic at the thought, but Vispy simply breathed through it—calm, steady, and invincible.
Beyond the records
When he is not breaking records, Vispy is also a certified strength and conditioning coach, a pediatric nutritionist, and a trainer to elite forces—including the BSF and NSG, in both armed and unarmed combat techniques. He also empowers women by conducting self-defence classes across Gujarat under the Suraksha Setu Yojna.
In addition, he has showcased his versatility in the cinematic realm by choreographing fight sequences in movies like Brothers and Naam Shabana, sharing the big screen with stars such as Akshay Kumar.
When asked about what keeps you motivated, Vispy said:
“Motivation is only necessary when you're doing something you don't love. But if you've chosen your path and committed to your goal, then words like 'motivation' and 'focus' become irrelevant—because purpose drives everything.”
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