Are YOU stronger than Donna Jean? Grandma of 12 does an astonishing number of push ups in an hour – smashing the world record

  •  Grandmother of 12 sets new push-up world record
  •  Retired school teacher completed 1,575 push-ups
  •  Set a world record for planking earlier in the year

A 59-year-old grandmother of 12 has set a new push-up world record, just months after she claimed a world record for planking.

DonnaJean Wilde, a retired school teacher who lives in Canada, officially set the new benchmark for most push-ups in a single hour by a woman by doing 1,575 push-ups in just 60 minutes.

Wilde managed the extraordinary feat on September 28, but the record was officially recognised by Guinness World Records last week. 

‘I had to fight back the happy tears and emotions and keep going,’ Wilde told Guinness World Records.

‘I still felt quite strong and I was aiming for a high number of pushups to complete in the next 17 minutes.’

Wilde, who passed the previous mark with 17 minutes to spare, was cheered on by 11 of her grandchildren who helped her count down the sets.

DonnaJean Wilde, 59, broke the world record for most push-ups in an hour by a woman by doing 1,575 push-ups

11 of Wilde's grandkids were present to cheer her on towards her goal

11 of Wilde’s grandkids were present to cheer her on towards her goal

During the opening 20 minutes, Wilde completed an astonishing 620 push-ups. Afterwards, she slowed her pace down to manage fatigue.

For each push-up to count, she had to follow strict instructions, making sure her elbows had a ’90-degree flexion at the bottom of the push-up, with full extension of the arm when pushing up,’ according to Guinness World Records.

Wilde explained that while she was preparing to break the planking record she fell in love with doing push-ups.

In March, she set the world record for the longest plank by holding the position for an amazing four hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds. 

‘I’ve always loved sports and running,’ she said. ‘I love to run and work out … Fitness and health and nutrition was something that was really important in my family growing up,’ she told USA Today.

‘My husband is very active and fit too, so it’s kind of just been a lifestyle for us,’ she said.

Wilde said she encourages others to stay fit and healthy as they age.

‘I believe that if we stay active and have health and wellness goals, we can age gracefully and powerfully,’ Wilde said.

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