Nov 12, 9:01 AM
Spanish Rapper Gazir Sets Guinness World Record with 200 Freestyle Battles
Gabriel Sánchez Poyal completed the 11-hour marathon in Gijón, winning 197 matches against 250 opponents.
Spanish freestyle rapper Gabriel Sánchez Poyal, known professionally as Gazir, set a new Guinness World Record in Gijón by completing 200 freestyle rap battles in under 12 hours. During the event on 7 November, the 24-year-old physics student at the University of Oviedo recorded 197 wins and suffered three losses against a field of 250 competitors.
The event, held under the title Red Bull Gazir Contra Todos, required the artist to finish 200 consecutive battles within 12 hours while incurring no more than ten defeats. Sánchez Poyal completed the challenge in 11 hours, 23 minutes, and 14 seconds. Each match featured six turns for each performer, who exchanged four-bar improvised verses. The Spanish rapper won his first 115 matches before sustaining his first loss against Babi, followed by defeats against former world champions Skone and Bnet, and closed the event with a victory over Mexico's Aczino, a three-time Red Bull Batalla world champion.
To prepare for the physical and vocal strain of the marathon performance, Sánchez Poyal undertook an intensive preparation program during September and October. Working with a personal trainer, nutritionist, psychologist, and vocal specialists, he structured his routine like that of a professional athlete. During the attempt, he received only 20-second breaks between individual battles and a four-minute rest after every 40 matches to consume water, isotonic drinks, and fruit. A fitness tracking device worn during the event indicated that he expended roughly 3,000 calories.
Sánchez Poyal, who has earned his living as a freestyler since age 17, stated that the discipline has developed into a mature industry across Spain and Latin America, supported by organized leagues and international circuits. Alongside his ongoing studies in physics, the performer announced plans to expand his repertoire by undertaking freestyle rap challenges in English.
Written by Thomas Nussbaumer thomas.nussbaumer@alpineweekly.com
