On Wednesday, the Guinness World Record (GWR) announced Nigerian man, Tonye Solomon as the new record holder for the most steps climbed on a ladder while balancing a football on his head. The announcement was made on the GWR website after Solomon set the record in August in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. 

According to the GWR’s statement on its website, Solomon achieved the feat by climbing 150 steps to the top of a 250-foot – 76-meter-tall radio mast while excellently having control of the football on his head.

GWR said that Solomon had earlier walked 60km (37 miles) with a football on his head from Amassoma to Yenagoa in Bayelsa State amid doubts from his compatriots. It explained further that his latest record was achieved to prove the critics wrong which he demonstrated with his skills.

“After Tonye Solomon walked 60 km (37 miles) with a football on his head from Amassoma to Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, many of his compatriots doubted the authenticity of his story,” GWR said.

“So, to prove them wrong, Tonye decided to demonstrate his skills by setting a Guinness World Record title for the most steps climbed on a ladder while balancing a football on the head.

“He successfully achieved the dizzying feat last month by climbing 150 steps to the top of a 250-foot (76-meter) tall radio mast while expertly keeping control of the ball atop his head,” the Records stated.

Solomon reportedly stated that he intended to establish this record in order to push himself and “inspire others to do great things.”

He was claimed to have trained for it for two months, using all of his free time to practice until he was sure he would succeed. During the record attempt, he was said to have appeared unaffected by the steep incline, finishing the climb in just 12 and a half minutes.

Solomon climbed all 150 steps, flung the ball down, and raised his fist in triumph. “It wasn’t easy,” he said. “I thank the Nigerian Civil Defense Bayelsa State Command for allowing me to use their facility for this.”