MARTIAL ARTS: THE RECORD SMASHER
Those who have seen Rashid Naseem in action would endorse the fact that he has a strong head and powerful fists. This martial arts’ expert from Karachi wears glasses, but that hasn’t stopped him from swinging the nunchuks or smashing coconuts, watermelons, walnuts and soda cans with his bare head, hands or elbows to claim more than two dozen Guinness World Records.
It was back in 2003 that, while relaxing at his home and channel surfing, Naseem’s attention was caught by a programme on AXN where a martial artist was attempting a world record. It made him think he could also achieve the same feat.
Naseem, who started sparring at the age of nine after seeing his cousin practise karate, took nearly 11 years to break the first of his 32 Guinness World Records. During that 11-year span, Naseem kept practising for different records in his private space. He did not have enough resources to attempt any of the records officially. But he was certain he could do it once he got the chance.
It is no mean feat to break more than two dozen world records. Martial artist Rashid Naseem has done it through sheer determination and a steely resolve
“I used to attempt breaking records myself and then celebrate as if I had succeeded,” he recalls, sitting near a wooden martial arts dummy in the studio of his Pakistan Academy of Martial Arts in Shah Faisal Town.
“Even before I attempted any of the records officially, I used to tell people that I didn’t know when I would become a Guinness World Record holder… but if I stayed alive I would definitely become one.”
Naseem grabbed that opportunity during the Punjab Youth Festival in 2014. In just three days, he was the record-holder of four of them. It was only the beginning of a glorious journey. The next four years saw him attempting all sorts of records. Today, the 36-year-old holds the record of smashing the most number of coconuts, watermelons and walnuts with his head — 35, 49 and 254 respectively.
The initial days of training were tough for him. Being the son of a welder, he did not have enough resources to pay the trainer’s fee. Fortunately, his master was kind enough to allow him to take classes without any payment.