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    Inside controversial football team who have won every game in their history but are still denied Guinness World Record

    A FOOTBALL team have been denied the Guinness World Record for successive top-flight victories.Welsh minnows The New Saints clocked up 27 straight wins back in 2016 but recently saw that stunning feat eclipsed.Big-spending Al-Hilal got their name in the book of Guinness World RecordsCredit: ReutersArkadag FC have won every competitive game in their entire historyCredit: AFPSaudi side Al-Hilal, who have former Premier League stars Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ruben Neves in their ranks as well as the injured Neymar, extended that to 34 last month.However, in Turkmenistan in central Asia, Arkadag FC have won every competitive game in their entire history since they were created a year ago.They lifted the Turkmenistan title in December after recording a whopping 72 points from 24 games.They also had seven cup wins too and have six already this term, taking their tally to 37.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut despite that incredible run, the official record still remains over a thousand miles away in the Saudi Pro League.And a spokesperson for Guinness World Records explained the reason why to the Guardian. They said: “There’s relatively little detail available for the Turkmenistan league, less than we want for the kind of due diligence we carry out in our research for this and similar records.“This may also be indicative of a level of governance and competition under what we’d ordinarily look for as well.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“All this being considered, we have confirmed Al-Hilal as the record holder.”Despite having a 6.5m population, the isolated Turkmenistan is one of the most secretive countries on the planet.Eight bizarre football rules you may not knowAnd the way that Arkadag were created could also be a hurdle.Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, the president of Turkmenistan from 2006 to 2022, loved his ‘Arkadag’ nickname, which translated means ‘hero protector’.Prior to handing over power to his son, Serdar, he ordered a city to be built at the cost of $5bn which was named Arkadag.That has a population of 70,000 and in 2023 the football team was created with the best players in the country all signing for them.The league’s transfer window was extended in order to help them secure the influx of stars.They ended their maiden campaign with +66 goal difference – and it is already at +30 after just six games of this term.This fresh report states that Berdymukhamedov is desperate to somehow get his new city into the Guinness World Records somehow.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd he allegedly believes that once they start competing in Asian competitions then it will be impossible for them to continue to be ignored.And, of course, that could also see them eventually go head-to-head with rivals Al-Hilal in a match that could equate to someone’s 0 having to go. More

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    Kelvin Kiptum dead: World record holder & London Marathon winner dies aged just 24 alongside his coach as world mourns

    LONDON Marathon winner and world record holder Kelvin Kiptum has died aged just 24.The Kenyan long distance runner was killed alongside his coach Garvais Hakizimana in a car crash.
    Kelvin Kiptum crosses the finish line to win the Elite Men’s Marathon during the 2023 TCS London Marathon in April 2023Credit: Getty
    Kiptum with his coach Hakizimana, who also died in the smashCredit: AFP
    The Kenyan was selected to represent his country ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in ParisCredit: X/@RailaOdinga
    The Kenyan international poses alongside Sifan Hassan, winner of the Elite Women’s race, with the Chris Brasher Memorial Trophy last yearCredit: PA
    Kiptum won the London Marathon in April last year and broke the course record, crossing the line in two hours one minute and 25 seconds.
    Just months later he smashed the world marathon record in Chicago, completing the 26 mile race in just two hours and 35 seconds.
    International track federation World Athletics had only ratified his records last week.
    Kenya’s former prime minister Raila Odinga confirmed Kiptum had died on X, writing: “Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, World Record holder and Kenyan athletics icon.
    “Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight.”
    “My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity.
    How Kelvin Kiptum went from borrowing shoes to winning London MarathonKelvin Kiptum was renowned for being the only person in history to run the marathon in under two hours and one minute.
    But the Kenyan, 24, had to rise from the depths of poverty prior to his remarkable success.
    When he lined up for his first major local competition in 2018, Kiptum did so wearing borrowed running shoes because he could not afford a pair of his own.
    Kiptum began his career on the road, breaking away from the past tradition of athletes starting on the track before switching to longer distances.
    But that wasn’t out of choice.
    Kiptum claims he made the decision purely because of a lack of resources.
    “I had no money to travel to track sessions,” he explained to BBC Sport Africa.
    “My training place is far from a track, so I started training with road-running guys – and that’s how I got into marathon.”

    “Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”
    The crash happened on a road in Western Kenya – a high-altitude area commonly used as a training base for long-distance athletes.
    Most read in Athletics
    Kiptum described his astonishing rise to success in an interview with the BBC last year.
    He ran his first major local competition in borrowed shoes, as he couldn’t afford a pair himself.
    Kiptum said: “It has been a long journey for me through my career.
    “I have been trying so hard to pursue this dream to run a world record.
    “It has come true and I am really happy. My life has now changed.”
    His coach Hakizimana – who also died in the smash – told of how he knew Kiptum from a young boy in the same interview.
    He said: “I knew him when he was a little boy, herding livestock barefooted.
    “It was in 2009, I was training near his father’s farm, he’d come kicking at my heels and I would chase him away.
    “Now, I am grateful to him for his achievement.”
    London Marathon organisers said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear the terrible news of the death of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
    “The thoughts of everyone at the TCS London Marathon are with Kelvin’s and Gervais’ family and friends.”
    World Athletics president Seb Coe said: “On behalf of all World Athletics we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.
    “It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon World Record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time.
    “An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
    Local reports state that a second passenger, a lady identified as Sharon Kosgey, was in the car at the time of the crash.
    She survived the impact but with serious injuries, and was rushed to Racecourse Hospital for medical attention.
    The bodies of Kiptum and Hakiziman were taken to the hospital’s mortuary.
    Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Petr Mulinge confirmed the accident took place at approximately 11pm (8pm GMT) on Sunday.
    According to Mulinge, Kiptum had lost control of the vehicle, veering off the road and landing in a ditch about 60 metres away before colliding with a tree.
    He added that Kiptum and Hakizimana “died on the spot”.
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    Kiptum was currently training to run just under two hours at the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14.
    He had also been selected by Kenya for this summer’s 2024 Olympics in Paris.
    Why it took Kiptum 23 YEARS to agree to run a marathonKiptum may have been a world record holder and champion but it took a lot of convincing to get him to run in the first place.
    According to his coach Garvais Hakizimana – who died alongside him this week – Kiptum needed time to warm up to the idea of running a marathon.
    The Kenyan initially feared that it might be too tough.
    “He had some fear and preferred the shorter half-marathon until 2022 when he finally agreed to a marathon,” Hakizimana told BBC Sport Africa.
    Fast forward a few years and Kiptum would have 42km triumphs in Valencia, London and Chicago.
    But there were also other complications getting in the way of Kiptum fulfilling his potential.
    Kiptum had to convince his family that he could make it in athletics.
    His father had been adamant that he should go to college instead.
    “He wanted me to study to pursue my diploma to be an electrician but I was saying that I needed to be an athlete – I had that passion,” Kiptum recalled.
    “That period was very hard for me because I trained for four years, yet there were no successes and they were disappointed in me. But I kept on pushing.”
    Eventually his father came around, even occasionally helping him get to early morning training on time.

    Kiptum poses as he celebrates winning the elite men’s race in just two hours and 35 secondsCredit: Reuters More

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    Formula 1 legend Jenson Button sets world record for his lightning-fast reflexes

    FORMULA 1 legend Jenson Button has added another string to his bow – breaking a Guinness World Record thanks to his lightning-fast reflexes.An official Guinness World Record adjudicator presented the British racing driver with his award after he smashed the record for the number of strikes on a Batak board in 30 seconds.
    F1 legend Jenson Button has added another string to his bow breaking a Guinness World Record thanks to his lightning-fast reflexesCredit: SWNS
    His super-fast reaction times saw him hit 58, beating the previous holder, Arshia Shahriarhi from Iran, who held the record of 56 from October 2019.
    The Batak light reaction machine is often used to improve F1 drivers’ reaction speed, hand co-ordination and stamina, with racers thought to have reaction times that are three times faster than the average person.
    Targets light up randomly across the board and participants must hit each light within an allotted time – to test their ability to respond quickly and make sure their peripheral vision is up to scratch.
    Jenson has previously beaten former teammate, and seven times F1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton, at a 60 second Batak challenge.
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    Button was set the challenge by TV and internet streaming service NOW, ahead of the Formula 1 season kicking off on 3rd March in Bahrain.
    Jenson Button said: “Always nice to add a new trophy to the collection – and an official Guinness World Record at that. I set my unofficial record in my twenties, so it’s great to see that I’ve still got it, twenty years later.
    “We’re looking at one of the most exciting seasons yet with Max, Lewis and the guys at Ferrari – it’s definitely looking a three-way race for the Championship this year and I can’t wait to see who comes out on top.”
    F1 drivers go through vigorous training to become race ready and experience up to six times the force of gravity as they brake, turn and accelerate in their cutting-edge cars.
    Most read in Motorsport
    Not only this, an F1 drivers’ heart rate can increase to around 160 to 200 beats per minute in contrast to an average person’s resting heart rate at 60 beats per minute, making it crucial to train aerobically.
    While driving in F1, Jenson’s training consisted of cycling, running, boxing and swimming for 16 to 20 hours a week for 17 years – making competitions out of this with other people to see who could run, swim, cycle the furthest really helped spur him on.
    Other examples of his gruelling training routine included an eight-hour bike ride up a volcano, skiing up mountains and swimming with sharks.
    Jamie Schwartz, from NOW added: “We’re glad that we could work with an F1 legend like Jenson and get him into the record books. Setting a new World Record is definitely a great way to kick off the 2023 F1 season which is looking to be one of the best ever.”
    Joanne Brent, an adjudicator from Guinness World Records, said: “I’ve seen countless record attempts, but Jenson Button’s achievement in extinguishing 58 Batak lights in 30 seconds was very impressive.
    “Breaking this record requires not only lightning-fast reaction times but also the ability to maintain focus and rely on peripheral vision, as Jenson demonstrated during the attempt for the record.
    “It’s a testament to his skill as a race driver and a reminder that breaking records isn’t just about physical ability, but also mental discipline and strategy.”
    F1 fans can challenge Jenson’s new world record on the official NOW Batak machine on F1 opening weekend with details to be announced via NOW social media channels.
    The entire F1 season can be streamed live on NOW from 3rd March as the lights go out first in Bahrain, for more information visit www.nowtv.com.
    Button was set the challenge by TV and internet streaming service NOWCredit: SWNS
    His super-fast reaction times saw him hit 58, beating the previous holderCredit: SWNS
    An official Guinness World Record adjudicator presented the British racing driver with his awardCredit: SWNS More