NJ Martial Artist Uses World Records To Inspire Bullied Kids (VIDEO)

NEW JERSEY — It takes strength to end bullying. That’s the message that John Mirrione of New Jersey was trying to get across when he set out to break some world records on Tuesday.

Mirrione, a Westfield resident and former U.S. Congress candidate in Essex, Hudson and Union counties, is no stranger to adversity. Read More: NJ Karate Guru Beats COVID, Runs For Congress As Libertarian

The martial artist, Air Force veteran and national anti-bullying advocate has taken on world records before. In 2020, he nailed down 76 jump squats in a minute, setting a new milestone. In the past, he’s set other records for performing one arm/one leg push-ups and holding a bare knuckle position on a stone block.

This week, Mirrione reported that he managed to set 11 additional world records for doing one-arm bare-knuckle push-ups on concrete (watch the video below, or view it online here).

His feats of strength – which were witnessed by the Record Holders Republic – included:

World Records Set

1. Most One-Arm Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups (Right Arm) in 30 Seconds on a Solid Stone Ground
   • Record Set: 40 Push-Ups
   • Previous Benchmark: 36 Push-Ups (Non-stone surface)
2. Most One-Arm Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups (Left Arm) in 30 Seconds on a Solid Stone Ground
   • Record Set: 33 Push-Ups
   • Previous Benchmark: No established record for the left arm.
3. Most Combined One-Arm Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups in 30 Seconds (Both Arms) on a Solid Stone Ground
   • Record Set: 40 (Right Arm) + 33 (Left Arm) = 73 Total Push-Ups
   • First-Time Achievement: This record was set for the first time on a solid stone ground.
4. Oldest Person to Perform the Most One-Arm Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups (Right Arm) on a Solid Stone Ground
   • Record Set: 40 Push-Ups
5. Oldest Person to Perform the Most One-Arm Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups (Left Arm) on a Solid Stone Ground
   • Record Set: 33 Push-Ups
6. Oldest Person to Perform the Most Combined One-Arm Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups in 30 Seconds (Both Arms) on a Solid Stone Ground
   • Record Set: 73 Total Push-Ups
7. Most World Records Set or Broken in One Sitting for One-Arm Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups on a Solid Stone Ground
   • Achievement: Multiple Records Set in a Single Event
8. Oldest Person to Set or Break World Records in One Sitting for One-Arm Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups on a Solid Stone Ground
   • Achievement: Demonstrated an Unprecedented Feat as an Older Athlete

World Records Surpassed

1. Most One-Arm Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups in 30 Seconds (Previous Record: 36)
   • New Record: 40 Push-Ups (Right Arm)
   • Surface: Solid Stone Ground
2. Most Combined One-Arm Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups in 30 Seconds (Both Arms)
   • New Record: 73 Push-Ups on Solid Stone Ground
   • Note: This was a first-time record, as no official record existed previously for combined arms.
3. Most World Records Broken in One Event for 30-Second Bare-Knuckle Push-Ups
   • Achievement: Records for Right Arm, Left Arm, Combined Total, and Age-Based Achievements

Mirrione said that his latest feats were inspired by his ongoing battle against bullying.

After his military service ended, Mirrione began teaching karate in 1994, ultimately opening his own studio in New York City: Harmony By Karate. During that time, “Sensei Mirrione” found a new calling: trying to change the hearts of bullies.

Drawing on his own past of being picked on while growing up in Brooklyn and Long Island, Mirrione helped to launch the first mandated anti-bullying program in a major U.S. city (Elizabeth), an initiative that reached thousands of students.

Mirrione said that his latest records were personal milestones – but also metaphors.

Performing bare-knuckle push-ups on concrete – a surface as unyielding as the challenges faced by bullied children – sends a clear message to kids, he said: “Resilience is born through adversity.”

“These records were about showing children that no matter how difficult life may seem, there is strength inside of them waiting to be discovered,” Mirrione told Patch. “I want this to be a beacon of hope for kids who feel alone, unheard or afraid.”

• See related article: 9 Amazing World Records From New Jersey (VIDEOS)
• See related article: 12 World Records From Essex County: Space, Film, Flight, Hockey

These days, Mirrione continues to champion anti-bullying causes through his charity, the Harmony Power Foundation, which is partnering with RPCV Ventures, an organization led by Michael Bailkin, that focuses on “empowering communities, fostering leadership and protecting children from bullying through actionable solutions.”

In addition, Mirrione is calling for the creation of a “National Anti-Bullying Director” – a job he says he’d be happy to accept.

“Bullying is not just a childhood issue, it’s a national crisis,” Mirrione said.

“We need leadership, accountability and real action to ensure our children grow up safe, healthy and empowered,” he emphasized.

• See Related: NJ Congress Candidate Has High Praise For Ex-Hate Group Leader

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