Wednesday, April 13, 2011

'Mr Elastic' goes for Guinness world record with his incredible bendy feet

Moses Lanham plans on stepping into the record books in a rather unusual fashion.

'Known as backwards feet man' and 'Mr elastic', the Michigan based 49-year-old can rotate his feet 120 degrees behind him, a feat he hopes will earn him a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

As that's not all; he also plans on setting a record for the fastest man to walk 20 metres with his feet turned backwards.

Despite the daunting task ahead, Mr Lanham can however remain quietly confident - both records have never been attempted before.


Speaking to AOL News, Mr Lanham said: 'I know I can put my toes together in back, but for the record, I'll do a full 120 degrees.'

Despite the visually excruciating appearance, Mr Lanham says his flexible feet cause him no pain, in fact he quite enjoys the back-to-front feeling.

'A lot of times when I'm sitting down I'll put my feet in a twisted position because it's more comfortable for me,' he said.

Mr Lanham discovered his strange quirk at 14 after a high school gym class accident.

Climbing a rope, he lost his grip and fell nearly 18 feet before landing with his feet in an extremely awkward position.

'They thought something was dislocated,' Mr Lanham said. 'But I stood up and was fine.'


































Mr Lanham has made the most of his talent ever since.

In high school he was prone to walking backwards and at college he would wear his clothes backwards to match the direction of his feet.

Sadly, Mr Lanham's 17-year-old son Trey has only partially inherited his father's funny feet.

Trey can not turn them the full way round like his father, and also feels pain after staying in the position for a short time.

'It's a shame because I was hoping I could retire and be his manager,' Mr Lanham added.

Doctors who have examined Mr Lanham say he was born with extra tissue and cartilage in his joints, making his hips, knees and ankles especially elastic.

There are no records of anyone else in the family, apart from Trey, having the condition.

His perculiar talent has also gained him national notoriety after he appeared on 'Candid Camera', 'Ripley's Believe It or Not!', 'America's Funniest Home Videos', 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' and the Discovery Channel's 'Medical Incredible'.

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