PRESS RELEASE: U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY SURPASSES NAVY BENCHMARK, BREAKING GUINNESS WORLD RECORD AHEAD OF RIVALRY GAME - 10/02/26

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Cadets and personnel at the U.S. Air Force Academy officially broke the Guinness World Record for the most people simultaneously performing push-ups for one full minute during an academy-wide challenge held at 11:57 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2.

With 3,703 participants completing the synchronized exercise, the U.S. Air Force Academy eclipsed the previous world record of 3,068 participants held by the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

The record-breaking challenge took place less than 24 hours before the Air Force Falcons host the Navy Midshipmen in their annual service rivalry clash on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Falcon Stadium.

"At the Academy, our mission is to develop leaders and warfighters ready to fight, win, and lead in service to our nation," said Brig. Gen. Brandon J. Tellez, Academy commandant of cadets. "This world record attempt is about more than earning a place in the record books. It reflects the discipline, grit, and shared purpose we work to build every day in the Cadet Wing. Navy set a formidable benchmark, and our cadets answered the challenge. As we head into Saturday's game, this effort serves as another reminder of what happens when disciplined teams unite behind a common objective.”

Participants were required to maintain repeated, full-range push-ups—descending to a 90-degree elbow bend and locking out at the top of each repetition—over sixty consecutive seconds, adhering strictly to official Guinness World Record regulations.

- 30 -