On a sun-drenched Saturday in the Egyptian resort town of Hurghada, Ashraf Mahrous—better known to fans as Kabonga—pulled off a feat that left onlookers in awe and may soon etch his name into the record books. With nothing but his teeth, the 44-year-old wrestler hauled not one, but two ships, their combined weight tipping the scales at a staggering 1,150 tons. If verified, this jaw-dropping accomplishment would shatter the current Guinness World Record for the heaviest ship pull using teeth, which stands at 614 tons.
According to reports from The Independent and other outlets, Mahrous began his attempt on September 27, 2025, by pulling a 700-ton ship across the shimmering waters of the Red Sea. The spectacle drew crowds and cameras to the Hurghada waterfront, as the popular strongman gritted his teeth—literally—and dragged the massive vessel over a 15-meter distance. Not content with this already Herculean display, Mahrous then attached a second ship, bringing the total load to 1,150 tons. To put that in perspective, that's roughly the weight of more than 200 adult elephants or a small skyscraper.
"Today, I have come to break the world record. I pulled them both, thanks to God, to prove to my friends and the whole world that God blessed me by being the strongest man in the world," Mahrous declared after completing his feat, as quoted by The Independent. His confidence was palpable, and the pride of his supporters—many of whom had followed his career from the port city of Ismalia to the national stage—was written on their faces.
Mahrous’s attempt is all the more impressive when measured against the current Guinness World Record, which was set in 2018 for a 614-ton ship. As BBC and The Standard both note, Mahrous plans to submit videos and photographs of his performance to Guinness World Records for official evaluation. The process can be lengthy—Guinness is meticulous in its verification—but if confirmed, Mahrous will have nearly doubled the previous record.
This isn't the first time Kabonga has stunned audiences with his extraordinary displays of strength. Back in March 2025, he pulled a train weighing 279 tons with a rope clenched between his teeth, dragging it almost 10 meters—a feat that Guinness World Records officially recognized as both the heaviest rail pull and the heaviest locomotive pull. He was also commended for the fastest 100-meter road vehicle pull. And just three years prior, Mahrous pulled a 15,730-kilogram truck with his teeth, further cementing his reputation as one of the world's most remarkable strongmen.
But what drives a man to risk his teeth—and his health—for such audacious records? For Mahrous, the answer lies in a mix of personal history, rigorous discipline, and a touch of mysticism. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 155 kilograms, the wrestler claims his prodigious strength has been evident since childhood. He recalls starting to lift heavy objects for money at the tender age of nine, and even accidentally breaking a friend’s arm during a childhood game. His early years in Cairo were marked by a love for sport, especially kung fu and kickboxing, and he eventually set up his own wrestling team. Friends, impressed by his ability to flip giant tires and push cars with just a finger, encouraged him to aim for world records.
Preparation for such a challenge is as grueling as the feat itself. In the weeks leading up to the ship pull, Mahrous trained six hours each day, focusing on building not just physical strength, but also mental resilience. His diet was equally intense: every day, he consumed at least a dozen eggs, two whole chickens, and five kilograms of fish, all to ensure his body could withstand the immense strain. “Protein and iron are essential for what I do,” Mahrous told The Standard, highlighting the importance of nutrition in his training regimen.
Yet Mahrous believes that true strength comes from more than just muscle. One of his secrets, he says, is establishing a mental connection with the object he intends to move. "It's important for me to treat the object that I will pull as part of my body that moves along with my heartbeat," he explained. This almost spiritual approach, blending mind and matter, sets him apart from other strongmen and adds a layer of intrigue to his performances.
What’s next for the man dubbed Egypt’s strongest? If his ambitions are any indication, Kabonga has no intention of slowing down. He has announced plans to request permission from Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah al Sisi, to attempt pulling a submarine—a challenge that would push the boundaries of human capability even further. And in a move that borders on the surreal, Mahrous has expressed a desire to one day pull a plane using only his eyelid muscles.
The spectacle in Hurghada has already sparked excitement across Egypt and beyond, with fans eagerly awaiting word from Guinness World Records. For Mahrous, the recognition would be the culmination of decades of dedication, discipline, and, yes, a little bit of daring. “I want to show the world what is possible when you believe in yourself and never give up,” he said, echoing the sentiments of strongmen and dreamers everywhere.
As the sun set over the Red Sea, Mahrous stood on the dock, sweat-soaked but triumphant, surrounded by family, friends, and well-wishers. Whether or not Guinness grants him the official title, his achievement has already entered the annals of strength sports—and inspired countless others to test the limits of their own potential.
For now, all eyes are on the Guinness World Records committee. Will Ashraf Mahrous’s incredible feat be enshrined as the new benchmark for human strength? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for certain: the world won’t soon forget the day Kabonga pulled two ships with nothing but his teeth.
