By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven is known for many historical accomplishments. And now, it will be known as the home of the Guinness world record-holder for the heaviest sumo deadlift in one minute. Raymond Saraiva, 26, lifted 408 pounds 57 times in 60 seconds. That’s 23,256 pounds.
Mr. Saraiva made the lifts last July 7, when he was still a tender 25. He lifts five or six days a week, and has been lifting for 10 years.
Ray Saraiva, 26, holds the certificate he received from Guinness World Records for heaviest sumo deadlift in one minute. The certificate reads: The heaviest sumo deadlift in one minute is 10,548.74 kg (23,256 lb) and was achieved by Raymond Saraiva (USA) in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, USA, on 7 July 2017. Photo by Beth David.
Mr. Saraiva said he learned about this particular competition online when someone else broke the record. So, he thought he would train for it.
It is not so easy to officially break a Guiness World Record, however. He contacted the organization in December of 2016, and started training in earnest to break the record.
It took six months, though, to get approved. By then, he was no longer at his peak.
“I was at my peak when I submitted it,” he said. “I was really ready to go.”
But, the wheels were in motion. He got his team together, which included three certified trainers, and set the date at Total Fitness in Dartmouth. The whole process had to be documented in one unbroken video, including his repetitions and the weighing of the weights with two different scales.
“Then I did it,” said Mr. Saraiva. “Then I did it.”
He needed 57 repetitions to beat the record, but he planned on doing 60. He knew he could, because he had done it in practice. But, on the big day, the mats under his feet kept slipping.
Mr. Saraiva works with his father, also named Ray, at Fairhaven Alarm Systems. Although his dad is his biggest supporter, Mr. Saraiva said he did not want his father there that day. It would just make him nervous. But…
“Everyone at the gym was watching that day,” said Mr. Saraiva.
If someone breaks his record any time soon, Mr. Saraiva said he will do “well over 60”
repetitions the next time.
In this still from the official video, Ray Saraiva is watched by three certified trainers as he lifts 408 pounds 57 times in 60 seconds to break the Guiness World Record for heaviest sumo deadlift in one minute on July 7, 2017.
He could do less weight with more repetitions, or more weight with fewer repetitions. But, 408 pounds is pretty hefty.
“You have to find a balance,” he said.
The record is for the total weight lifted in the minute. The combination is up to the lifter.
“It takes a lot of practice. It takes a lot of work,” said Ray’s father. “Obviously it’s an accomplishment… in the world.”
To see the full video of Ray’s record-breaking lift, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeUK5LbbC6g&t=419s or visit the Guinness World Record website at http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/heaviest-sumo-deadlift-in-one-minute
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