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Egyptian Strongman Kabonga Pulls 1,150-Ton Ships with His Teeth, Sets Sights on World Record
HURGHADA, Egypt — In a breathtaking display of raw power and an unyielding jaw, Egyptian strongman Ashraf Mahrous, affectionately known as “Kabonga,” took on an extraordinary challenge Saturday, aiming to shatter a world record by pulling massive ships across the water using only a rope clenched between his teeth.
The Red Sea resort city of Hurghada served as the backdrop for Mahrous’ latest feat. The 44-year-old native of Ismalia initially pulled a 700-ton ship, then, to solidify his bid for the record, he successfully moved two vessels weighing approximately 1,150 tons combined.
“Today, I have come to break the world record,” Mahrous declared after the impressive demonstration. “I pulled them both, thanks to God, to prove to my friends and the whole world that God blessed me by being the strongest man in the world.” He noted that the current Guinness World Record for ship pulling is a 614-ton vessel, set in 2018, and he plans to submit videos and photos for official evaluation.
This isn’t Kabonga’s first encounter with monumental challenges. Earlier this year, his astonishing strength made headlines when he pulled a train.
His resume also includes single-handedly moving a locomotive and, four years prior, a truck. Each achievement has only amplified his popularity, with local children often chasing after him in the streets, simply calling him “strong man.”
A Lifetime of Strength
Mahrous, standing at 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing 341 pounds, attributes his exceptional strength to an early start. As a child, he’d carry friends for fun and haul multiple gas cylinders on a wheelbarrow.
After his father lost his job when Ashraf was nine, he began offering his services to lift heavy items for cash, moving bricks and sandbags with remarkable speed. He also trained in kung fu, kickboxing, and even founded a wrestling team.
His friends were the ones who encouraged him to pursue world records after witnessing him effortlessly flip giant tires ten times in a row and push a car with just one finger. “I was inspired by people who broke records and felt like they are no better than me,” he shared, adding that his primary concern now is failing a pull, rather than injury.
Preparation and Philosophy
To prepare for such an incredible feat, Mahrous adheres to a rigorous, protein- and iron-rich diet, consuming at least a dozen eggs, two whole chickens, and 11 pounds of fish daily. His training regimen involves two-hour sessions, three times a day.
He employs a unique mental strategy, believing that conversing with the object he’s about to pull helps him establish a crucial connection. “It’s important for me to treat the object that I will pull as part of my body that moves along with my heart beat,” he explained. During pulling events, he wears a mouthguard, but he credits a traditional miswak twig, known for its anti-bacterial properties, for his strong teeth, rather than a dentist.
Past and Future Recognitions
Kabonga has already earned several Guinness World Records. In March, he was recognized for the heaviest rail pull (279-ton train by teeth for nearly 33 feet), the heaviest locomotive pull, and the fastest 100-meter road vehicle pull.
In June 2021, he was recognized for pulling a 15,730-kilogram truck with his teeth. His talents even extend to rapid eating, with a February 2024 record for cracking and consuming 11 raw eggs in 30 seconds.
As the president of the Egyptian Federation for Professional Wrestlers, Mahrous’s ambitions show no bounds. His next goal is to seek permission from the Egyptian presidency to pull a colossal 263,000-ton submarine. Looking even further ahead, he dreams of one day pulling an airplane using only his eyelid muscles, proving that for Kabonga, the limits of human strength are yet to be discovered.