Iranian Teen Meraj Zamaniyan Scores Guinness World Record, Eyes Professional Football Dream

For 15-year-old Meraj Zamaniyan of Iran, the dream of football stardom just got a major boost. The talented young athlete, who has dedicated his life to the beautiful game, has officially claimed a Guinness World Records title for the most football touches with the feet on a treadmill in 1 minute (male). On July 24, 2024, in Tehran, Meraj incredibly racked up 181 taps in just 60 seconds – an astonishing one touch every 0.33 seconds!

Meraj’s journey to this record-breaking feat began at the tender age of seven when he first learned to juggle a football. Five years ago, he started experimenting with juggling on a treadmill at a low speed of 2.5 km/h. To shatter the world record, he had to push himself to more than double that pace.

“Gradually, I increased the speed, but I must admit that reaching 6.5 km/h was very difficult,” Meraj shared with Guinness World Records.

His success is a testament to relentless dedication and consistent practice. For six months leading up to his record attempt, Meraj trained for two hours every day, incorporating treadmill juggling, strength training, and aerobic exercises. “No, I never thought about giving up,” he stated proudly, crediting his father’s unwavering encouragement and the motivation of achieving a Guinness World Records title.

Meraj draws significant inspiration from global football icons, particularly his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, who himself holds nearly 50 Guinness World Records titles, including the most wins in an international football career (male) with 133 victories.

This achievement marks the first of Meraj’s two lifelong aspirations, the other being to become a professional footballer. His record-breaking performance has set him on an exciting trajectory.

“I just want to become a professional footballer, and I will achieve that goal,” Meraj affirmed, embodying the spirit of his own advice to aspiring record breakers: “Believe in your abilities and to enjoy practising every day in order to achieve your dreams.”

Meraj’s accomplishment not only highlights his exceptional skill but also serves as a powerful reminder that with dedication and belief, any dream is possible.

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