Egyptian Strongman Pulls 700-Ton Ship with His Teeth... Sets New Record

Natural Physique Combined with Strict Diet and High-Intensity Training... "Next Challenge: Pulling a Submarine"

Egyptian strongman pulling a ship (Hurghada, AP=Yonhap News) On the 27th (local time), Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous pulls a 700-ton ship using only the strength of his teeth at a beach in Hurghada on the Red Sea. 2025.09.27 photo@yna.co.kr

Ashraf Mahrous (44), a powerhouse Egyptian wrestler, is making headlines after successfully completing a superhuman feat: pulling a massive 700-ton ship in the Red Sea using nothing but his teeth.

According to the Associated Press on the 27th (local time), Mahrous began his attempt at the famous resort city beach in Hurghada, Red Sea, before a crowd of onlookers by biting down on a rope connected to the vessel and pulling with all his might.

After demonstrating his incredible strength by pulling the 700-ton ship floating on the water, he was not satisfied and successfully pulled two connected ships, totaling approximately 1,150 tons.

Following his successful challenge, he expressed his joy, saying, "Thank God, I have proven to my friends and the whole world that I am the strongest man in the world."

He stated that he plans to send the videos and photos captured during the event to Guinness World Records to have his new record certified, noting that the current record for pulling a ship was 614 tons, set in 2018.

Known by his nickname "Kabonga," he reportedly followed a high-protein, high-iron diet leading up to the challenge, consuming at least 12 eggs, two chickens, and 5kg of fish daily. He also combined this with three, two-hour intense training sessions per day.

Standing 190cm tall and weighing 155kg, his success is the result of not only his innate physical strength but also his grueling, blood-and-sweat efforts.

He credits another secret to his success. In an interview with the AP, he explained that the key to moving an object is first engaging in a mental dialogue with it.

"When I pull a ship, I shout at it, 'It's either you or me today!'" he said. "It is essential to treat the object I am pulling as a part of my own body that moves in sync with my heartbeat."

This is not the first time Mahrous has shown off his strength. In March, he set a record for pulling the heaviest train with his teeth, moving a 279-ton locomotive. He also holds world records for pulling the most cars and the heaviest locomotive.

He even holds a record for cracking and eating 11 raw eggs in 30 seconds, a feat achieved in February last year.

He says he built his strength as a child while carrying heavy loads to help his father, who had lost his job.

While he wears a mouthguard during pulling events to protect his teeth, he says he takes no special measures otherwise, using only 'Miswak,' a traditional twig used for cleaning teeth.

His challenges are far from over. He claims his next goal is to pull a 263,000-ton submarine, and he plans to send a request to the Egyptian presidency to make it happen. He also mentioned that he one day dreams of pulling an airplane using only his eyelid muscles. Yonhap News

Joyful Egyptian strongman (Hurghada, AP=Yonhap News) Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous celebrates with his hands raised after successfully pulling a 700-ton ship with only his teeth on the beach in Hurghada, Red Sea, on the 27th (local time). 2025.09.27 photo@yna.co.kr