Two young men from Aarhus set an astonishing world record by completing more than 1,800 backflips in just over 12 hours, all while raising funds for their local gymnastics club.
Two Friends Flip Their Way Into the Record Books
In the Danish city of Aarhus, two friends took athletic dedication to a new level. Over the weekend, 27‑year‑olds Magne Steenberg Nielsen and Philip Wimmer Gross spent more than half a day doing nothing but backflips. One of them landed an incredible 1,820 flips in just 12 hours and 27 minutes. The other managed slightly fewer, but both now await confirmation from Guinness World Records.
By the next morning, their bodies felt the cost. Aching muscles were the first sign of what they had accomplished. After all, flipping that much in a day would take a toll on anyone.
A Double World Record Attempt
Interestingly, the friends originally set out to beat a single record but discovered that Guinness kept two separate categories — one for 12 hours and one for 24 hours. Their discovery changed the plan. Philip went for the 12‑hour challenge while Magne continued past the mark to secure the longer record.
Before their attempt, the previous 12‑hour record stood at 1,256 backflips. Philip surpassed that number with 1,801. Magne then pushed even further, breaking the 24‑hour record at 1,820 flips despite stopping after 12 and a half hours. The achievement effectively gave them both a place in history.
The documentation, including continuous video and data tracking, has now been sent to Guinness for verification. They remain confident that everything was done correctly according to the official rules.
A Cause Beyond the Record
Even though the feat earned them headlines, the real motivation came from a personal cause. Earlier in 2025, their local sports association, Lystrup IF Gymnastik & Fitness, suffered a major setback after a fraud case drained more than one million Danish kroner from the club’s funds.
This blow left the organization struggling to recover. Since then, volunteers and members have held a variety of activities to rebuild the finances. From running events to local fundraising drives, every krone has helped.
Magne and Philip decided their record attempt should also serve as a fundraiser for the club. They organized everything themselves, turning an extreme physical challenge into a community event that restored some positive energy after the loss.
Collecting Donations Flip by Flip
The donation effort happened in two ways. Locals could contribute directly through MobilePay, which had collected around 8,000 kroner by Sunday morning. In addition, a sponsorship system offered donors the chance to contribute money for every backflip completed.
Some supporters pledged just a few øre per flip, but at least one promised five Danish kroner for each successful rotation. That single pledge turned into quite a large sum by the end of the day. As Magne joked afterward, the generous sponsor might be getting an unexpected bill.
While Magne took responsibility for the sponsorship drive, he admitted he hadn’t yet checked the final amount raised because Sunday was dedicated to resting sore muscles and recovering from exhaustion. He and Philip planned to celebrate quietly with a big brunch or dinner — a small reward for their enormous effort.
The Spirit of Aarhus Sports
From what the club’s leadership shared, the pair’s record attempt symbolizes more than fundraising. It represents a spirit of dedication and unity within the Aarhus sports community. The volunteers felt touched by how members responded after the financial loss. Watching two young gymnasts push their limits for the sake of others gave them hope that the club’s future remains bright.
The record-breaking performance also highlights the active sports culture in the Aarhus area. Gymnastics there has a long history, blending traditional Danish athletic values with modern passion and creativity.
Ultimately, both Magne Steenberg Nielsen and Philip Wimmer Gross turned a tough year for their club into a memorable story of resilience. Once Guinness confirms the results, Aarhus may soon celebrate not only having a pair of new world record holders but also a renewed sense of community strength.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Aarhus – History Meets Vibrant Modernity
The Danish Dream: Best Gyms in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Aarhusianere sætter vild salto-verdensrekord
