IShowSpeed failed in his attempt to break the record for most backflips in 24 hours, calling it quits with a few hours left after racking up a huge number.
Over the last few years, IShowSpeed has skyrocketed in popularity with his off-the-wall antics, unique IRL streams, and crazy athleticism.
Most recently, he took fans on a trip through Southeast Asia that broke viewership records and made IShowSpeed the most-viewed English streamer of all time. Back in August, he went viral after jumping over two moving supercars.
On October 7, 2024, the YouTube star revealed his plan to livestream an attempt at breaking the world record for most backflips in a 24-hour period.
Set back in 2019 by Nico Scheicher from Austria, the current record is 1,001 backflips. To beat the record, he’ll have to do 42 backflips every 60 minutes.
His post announcing his World Record attempt quickly went viral on X, and fans flocked to the comments to share their excitement for the YouTuber’s latest feat of athleticism.
18 hours into the stream, after taking a nap, Speed had completed 660 backflips but simply said he couldn’t go any further after waking up.
“I’m sorry, y’all,” he told his thousands of viewers before subsequently ending his stream. “I’m completely sorry. But I will be back to beat this world record. Just give me a month or two.”
— SpeedClips (@Banger199) October 9, 2024
Timeline & key milestones
The YouTube star reached over a third of the way to his goal quicker than he ever imagined, doing over 300 backflips in less than three hours.
IShowSpeed is now a third of the way to reaching the world record for most backflips in 24 hours, with over 21 hours left pic.twitter.com/CnZGeBpeqZ
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) October 8, 2024
Just shortly after starting the challenge, YouTuber turned boxing star Jake Paul sent the streamer a massage therapist to help avoid muscle strain.
When they arrived, Speed had reached 360 total backflips.
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Jake Paul sent IShowSpeed a massage therapist after his legs almost gave out, he’s currently at 360 backflips 😳 pic.twitter.com/UHMQsTJpVs
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) October 8, 2024
Speed took the time to enjoy the massage, but quickly went back to work on beating the world record.
At around 460 backflips, just shy of the halfway mark, Speed decided to take a break and rest due to his legs giving out.
IShowSpeed can’t do any more backflips after reaching 461 backflips, as his legs have given out. He’s now taking a risky break to nap for a few hours but is scared his legs will be sore afterward 😬 pic.twitter.com/kWkKehmhTe
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) October 8, 2024
He got back up to reach 660 but, of course, couldn’t get past that after having some sleep, his legs simply no longer able to give any more.
Undoubtedly Speed will aim to get this world record one way or another, as it’s definitely not the type of thing he’ll let go any time soon.
Guinness World Records responds to Speed’s record attempt
The Guinness World Records X account even chimed in, saying they didn’t know it was happening.
“We had no idea this was happening but you do you bro,” they said.
we had no idea this was happening but you do you bro https://t.co/xcgpO3Uf3w
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) October 7, 2024
It’s unknown whether GWR is trolling or they actually didn’t know about Speed’s attempt at breaking the record, but if they didn’t, it could have spelled disaster for the YouTube streamer.
For all Guinness World Record attempts, a person must register with the company and sign its agreement before the attempt takes place.
If Speed hadn’t done that before the stream began, his record wouldn’t have been recognized in an official capacity by the company.
Twitch streamer PineappleHoops learned this the hard way back in September 2024 when she broke the world record for “butt-hooping” live on the platform.