Most people would struggle to move a stalled bus with both hands, let alone with a rope strapped around their neck.
But for Aruban strongman Egmond Molina, pain, pressure and impossible-looking feats have become part of everyday life.
The 49-year-old, known by many as the “Human Crane”, has added another staggering achievement to his growing collection of world records after dragging a 9,860 kg (21,737 lb) bus over a 20-metre distance using only his neck.
In doing so, Molina smashed the previous record of 8,060 kg (17,769.26 lbs) set by Ukrainian strongman Dmytro Hrunskyi in 2024.
It’s the kind of challenge that sounds almost impossible on paper. In reality, it was even more brutal.
Pulling a vehicle weighing more than 21,000 pounds is one thing. Doing it with a rope compressing your airway while your body fights for oxygen is another entirely.
Explaining the ordeal, Molina said, via Guinness World Records: “With the rope compressing my airway, I must generate force while carefully controlling my breathing under intense strain. It becomes a psychological battle to remain composed while the body is under severe stress.”
That psychological battle has defined much of his career.
While the latest bus pull may be grabbing headlines around the world, it’s only one chapter in a remarkable run of strength feats that have turned Molina into one of the most unique athletes in the sport.
He currently owns 10 world records, including the heaviest weight supported with the mouth on parallel bars, the fastest 20-metre tram pull with teeth, the fastest hot water bottle burst, and a jaw-dropping one-finger deadlift of 159 kg (350.53 lb).
Among the records officially credited to him are:
The heaviest weight supported with the mouth on parallel bars – 90.3 kg (199.1 lbs)
The heaviest weight supported with the mouth on parallel bars whilst maintaining a horizontal body position – 90.30 kg (199.07 lbs)
The fastest 20 m bus pull with one finger (male) – 33.32 sec
The most crown cap bottles opened with both hands in 30 seconds – 6
The heaviest weight lifted from a platform with a hip belt (male) – 1,002 kg (2,209 lb)
The fastest 20 m tram pull with teeth (male) – 39.9 sec
The fastest 20 m tram pull with one finger (male) – 38.60 sec
The fastest hot water bottle burst (male) – 2.87 seconds
The heaviest deadlift with one finger – 159 kg (350.53 lb)
For Molina, though, the records are about far more than personal glory.
He says everything he does is driven by family, legacy and representing Aruba on the world stage.
He said: “My mission is to leave a legacy of discipline for them and for the youth of my island.
“It is a privilege to share my journey. As a representative of my beautiful home, Aruba, a small island with a population of only 110,000. I aim to show the world that greatness can come from even the smallest corners of the globe.
“My records are a tribute to my people and my family’s enduring legacy.”
Molina also revealed that his career is dedicated to his grandparents, while his four children — Nigel, Egmond Junior, Benjamin and Adelinda — remain at the centre of his motivation.
Behind the outrageous feats is an athlete deeply invested in the science of human performance.
Working as a specialised strength consultant, Molina approaches training less like a traditional strongman and more like an engineer studying stress limits and structural adaptation.
He explained: “My motivation is rooted in the scientific study of human potential. One of my greatest achievements is the platform lift, where I hoisted 1,002 kg (2,209 lbs) off the ground using a hip belt system. At a body weight of only 87 kg, this lift represents an extraordinary strength-to-weight ratio, pushing beyond the traditional limits of elite powerlifters.”
Despite all of his accomplishments, Molina admitted one particular feat still stands above the rest emotionally.
“Reclaiming the world mark with 159 kg (350.5 lb) in early 2026 was a victory for ‘specialized functional power’,” he said, “proving that small muscle groups can be trained to handle massive loads.”
That relentless pursuit of physical extremes has come at a heavy cost physically.
Over the years, Molina has suffered multiple serious injuries while chasing records, yet continued pushing through setbacks that would stop most athletes entirely.
He revealed: “This challenge is made even more significant by the injuries I have sustained throughout my journey. During the bus pull, I tore the skin on my finger. The 90-kg teeth lift caused severe inflammation in my jaw. While performing the 1-ton platform lift, I injured my knee, and during the tram pull, I suffered a 1.2 cm tear in my right shoulder.”
Even then, stopping was never part of the plan.
He added: “Despite these setbacks, I continued through disciplined rehabilitation, therapy, and an unwavering drive to succeed. Some of my records were achieved while managing these injuries, for example, performing lifts with an open finger wound and continuing despite my knee injury. The tear in my shoulder remains to this day.
“My ability to overcome these challenges comes down to determination, resilience, and a relentless commitment to achieving my goals.”
Featured image credit: Guinness World Records / YouTube (screenshot)
