On the eve of Ukraine's Armed Forces Day, Alexander Tiitenko from the 4th Special Forces Regiment and veteran Stanislav Zoriy achieved an incredible milestone: they completed 1002 pull-ups together!
Their feat took them 1 hour and 38 minutes. The record was officially recognized by the representative of the Ukrainian Book of Records, and both record-holders received certificates.
Sergeant Alexander Tiitenko is a unique individual, having dedicated his life to service in the Special Forces and sports. He holds several national records, including 870 burpees in 60 minutes and 51,537 push-ups on parallel bars. He is a champion of Ukraine in military football and has participated in multiple marathons. Three months ago, he led the Special Forces football team against the veterans of Ukraine, captained by Andriy Shevchenko. All his victories are dedicated to fallen comrades.
“I remember everyone I've served with over my 13 years in special operations,” says Alexander. “Many of them gave their lives for Ukraine. I met Stanislav at a martial arts tournament. I admire his willpower and character. He has been through hell and has come back stronger, achieving incredible results.”
24-year-old Stanislav Zoriy, call sign “Refa,” is a two-time world champion in kickboxing among juniors. In March 2022, he participated in operations to clear areas of Russian forces near Kyiv and was later involved in the liberation of Izyum. He served in the Special Operations Forces. Tragedy struck near Bakhmut when he was injured during a mortar attack, and later the evacuation vehicle hit a mine. Stanislav woke up in a Dnipro hospital, realizing he was the only survivor of that vehicle.
The young man underwent a high amputation and 35 surgeries. He essentially rebuilt himself, and now sports play a major role in his life. “I live in Ivano-Frankivsk and train for one and a half to two hours daily,” Stanislav shares. “My motivation is to help my comrades. I stay in touch with them and involve them in sports competitions. Unfortunately, not everyone can find themselves after what they experienced in the war. This time, we raised funds for military rehabilitation through our pull-ups.”
During the record-setting attempt, Alexander and Stanislav pushed themselves to the limit, alternating sets of 5-6 repetitions. On average, it took them about 10-12 minutes for every hundred pull-ups. “I was surprised by the fast pace we started with,” noted “Titan.” “I told Stas to pace himself and manage his strength wisely. He’s a true champion, showing great character and determination.”
The correctness of the pull-ups and the counting of repetitions were overseen by Anna Krysyuk, the general director of the World Records Book: “For me, these boys represent the resilience of Ukrainians. Their optimism and faith in justice are remarkable! This achievement will be included in the printed version of the record book in 2025 and will be among the top hundred records of the country.”
1002… At this incredible number, the special forces members embraced tightly amidst the applause of the audience and thanked each other. Another bright sports chapter has turned, and ahead lie new challenges. As Alexander Tiitenko announced, he is currently preparing to break the world record for the number of two-arm pull-ups in one hour — 402 repetitions. He has set the date for June 8 next year, on the anniversary of the death of his comrade known as “Yasha.” He dedicates this achievement to him.
