A bodybuilder who spent six months in a half-body cast as a child has gone on to become a five-time Guinness World Records holder.
Kyle Landi was just 11 years old when he fractured his hip, but the injury went unnoticed by doctors for six weeks.
He eventually required emergency surgery and spent the following six months in a half-body cast, with uncertainty over whether he would ever walk again, per Guinness World Records.
Now 26, Landi has not only regained his strength but become Canada’s first competitive bodybuilder with Down syndrome.
And this year, he added five Guinness World Records titles to his growing list of achievements.
“I want people to know that my journey is about more than breaking records – it is about inspiring others to believe in themselves and showing the world what is possible,” Landi told Guinness World Records.
His first two records arrived in January in the II2 impairment category.
Landi deadlifted 117.38kg to claim the heaviest male deadlift in the category, before lifting a cumulative 1,044.07kg in just one minute.
Two months later, he was back for more.
Landi completed 11 20-metre shuttle runs in 60 seconds, alongside 23 pull-ups and 15 chin-ups in a minute, taking his total to five world records.
He described becoming a five-time record holder as “one of the happiest days” of his life.
Making the achievements even more impressive was the fact he was preparing for a bodybuilding competition at the time.
“It was extremely challenging for me because I was in a calorie deficit with my body fat low.
“These attempts put my bodybuilding future at risk because if I had injured myself, which many of us do, I would have lost my opportunity to compete at the Mindi O Show, Toronto Pro Show Qualifier, Arnold Classic and Arnold Classic UK. Not to mention I would not have set the world records.”
Landi subsequently won three gold medals and the Best Poser award at the Mindi O Show.
His journey hasn’t been straightforward.
As well as being born with Down syndrome, Landi arrived six weeks prematurely with a hole in his heart and underwent open-heart surgery at nine months old.
He began training at seven and took up bodybuilding at 23. Today, he trains five days a week while also working as a waiter, personal trainer and influencer.
Together with his parents, Landi has also founded Down2train, a charity helping people with Down syndrome through fitness, confidence and community.
“I was born with Down syndrome, but I have never let that define my limits; through hard work, discipline and determination, I have been able to achieve things many people never thought was possible.
“My hope is that my story encourages others to dream bigger, work hard and understand that everyone has the ability to make a difference.”
And Landi’s ambitions aren’t finished.
His next goal is to “become the first athlete with an intellectual disability, or Down syndrome, to win an IFBB Pro Card”.
His advice to anyone thinking about pursuing their own goal is considerably simpler.
“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do,” he said. “You decide. No one else.
“Just go and get started.”
Featured image credit: Kyle Landi / Instagram
