STARING down the barrel of a custom-made air gun, Anthony Kelly is a long-time member of one of the world’s most exclusive clubs.
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With 50 Guinness World Records under his belt, Kelly just earned the title of World’s Fastest Tennis Ball Caught at 248 kilometres per hour.
Recently, he was best man at the wedding of his good mate Morris Zavatta – one of the greatest tightrope walkers in the world.
“I’ve been practicing the fastest tennis ball for two years, it’s extremely hard to do,” Kelly said.
“The speed of the balls travelling from the air cannon I had to get made in America myself is 0.08 seconds, we’re talking a thousand of a second.
“I have to really train my body to overcome the pain the balls inflict on my body.”
Kelly just learned he’ll be on the inside cover of the Guinness World Book of Records in 2019.
The 54-year-old shows no signs of slowing down and reckons he’s never eaten a piece of fruit or a vegetable in his life.
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“One of my techniques is opening and closing my hand in five seconds – I have a personal best of 85,” he said.
“That keeps my body super active, I think we can do anything if we set our mind to develop our bodies.” Kelly has appeared on television shows worldwide, he’s been studied by scientists in Plymouth, England and met the crew of Mythbusters.
“I have a few other records pushing on the limits of human endurance, I know I won’t do it forever but I certainly have two or three other records that will make people stand up and have a look at what people can achieve,” he said.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
