Inspiration Not Impossible At World Record Games
On November 14th, Auckland, New Zealand, phone-books will be torn, carpenter’s nails broken, giant balloon hats made and shopping trolleys pushed in the name of challenging the impossible, and breaking world records along the way.

Jumped, thrown and run successfully in Zurich, Switzerland and Munich, Germany since the 1980s, the Impossibility-Challenger festival of record smashing is being staged in New Zealand for the first time, and Director Budhsamudra Knox is confident that success will not be impossible—“We think Kiwis have what it takes to step up to the mark.”
Attempting to cross that mark, and in world record time, is an international field of participants including Alistair Galpin, the New Zealander with the most World Records, Albert Walter of Switzerland, a bench press champion who tears phone books better than anybody else, and a team of mechanics who will attempt the 4-man car wheel change world record.
The impossibility challenging event also encompasses the Self-Transcendence Games, where hundreds of school children will compete together with celebrities in just for fun events like hula-hoop racing and catching an egg thrown the greatest distance.
The Impossibility-Challenger games were founded in 1982 by the late peace visionary Sri Chinmoy, upon the premise that challenging limitations and the seemingly impossible not only brings the individual joy, but inspires others to transcend that which is challenging in their lives as well.
The event is organised by the Sri Chinmoy Centre, a prolific non-profit organisation also responsible for the world’s largest participant torch relay, the World Harmony Run, and The Oneness-Heart-Tears and Smiles humanitarian aid programme.
Related
Stories
First-hand experiences of meditation and spirituality.
A barrage of Candy Bullets
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
In the Whirlwind of Life
Pradeep Hoogakker The Hague, Netherlands
The happiest I've ever been
Gabriele Settimi San Diego, United States
In the Right Place, At the Right Time
Eshana Gadjanski Novi Sad, Serbia
My inner calling
Purnakama Rajna Winnipeg, Canada
Time seemed to freeze
Brahmata Michael Ottawa, Canada
A vision at 3 a.m in the morning
Abarita Dänzer Zürich, Switzerland
“Where there is heart, always there is a way.”
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
Muhammad Ali: I was expecting a monster, but I found a lamb
Sevananda Padilla San Juan, Puerto Rico
It does not matter which spoon you use
Brahmacharini Rebidoux St. John's, Canada
Running for Peace
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
I just knew from the moment I saw him
Ashrita Furman New York, United States
If I can smile like that, it's worth becoming a disciple
Mahatapa Palit New York, United StatesSuggested videos
interviews with Sri Chinmoy's students
An airport meditation experience
Jogyata Dallas Auckland, New Zealand
My well-scheduled day
Jayasalini Abramovskikh Moscow, Russia
Sri Chinmoy's inner guidance
Kailash Beyer Zurich, Switzerland
Life in a spiritual workplace
Pranlobha Kalagian Seattle, United States
What is it like on the Peace Run?
Nikolaus Drekonja San Diego, United States