Burnley man in Australia preparing for world record attempt with 12-hour punchbag marathon

Ahead of a world record attempt later this year, a Burnley man living in Australia is preparing for a marathon 12-hour stint on a punchbag.
By Jack Marshall, Reporter
Published 19th Feb 2021, 07:00 BST
Henry WatkinsHenry Watkins
Henry Watkins

Henry Watkins will attempt to complete 180 consecutive three-minute rounds of sparring on a heavy punchbag with one minute's rest between each round at Gold's Gym Port Kennedy just south of Perth in Western Australia where he lives.

Starting at 6am and set to finish at 6pm, the challenge will be two hours longer than the longest non-stop stint Henry has ever completed on a punchbag previously and, in recent weeks, he has ramping up his training routing and working with local boxer Jackson Jon England to improve his fitness.

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In 2017, Henry completed a 10-hour box-a-thon to raise funds for Pendleside Hospice before last year undertaking a 24-hour challenge which saw him complete eight hours on the punchbag, eight hours on the treadmill, and eight hours on a stepper for mental health charity The Top Blokes Foundation.

Henry training at his home in PerthHenry training at his home in Perth
Henry training at his home in Perth

Towards the back end of 2021, Henry is aiming to break the world record for longest punchbag marathon, which currently stands at 55 hours, 10 minutes, and four seconds, and which was set by Azad Haidarian or Iran in Sanandaj, Iran between August 8 and 11 in 2018. In June, he will undertake his first 24-hour punchbag marathon in preparation for the attempt.

To follow Henry's progress, follow him on Instagram at www.instagram.com/hg_watkins/?hl=en

Related topics:Western AustraliaHenry WatkinsBurnleyPerthPendleside HospiceIran