Kitchener, Ont. doctor breaks Guinness world record
Dr. Khashayar Farzam, ER and family physician in Kitchener-Waterloo, on Nov. 1, 2023. (Dan Lauckner/CTV Kitchener)
A Kitchener, Ont. emergency room doctor is now also a world record holder after bench pressing the most weight in 30 seconds.
Khashayar Farzam made his attempt to break the Guinness World Record on Nov. 1 at Lil’s Gym in Kitchener. He lifted 30 repetitions of 120 kg (256 lb.)
With all 30 reps, Dr. Farzam lifted 3,610kg (7,959 lb.) in total. The previous record was 3,480 kg.
Guinness World Records recognized the doctor’s attempt and he has since been verified as the world record holder.
Dr. Farzam said his inspiration to try and break the record was one of his fellow gym-goers.
“One of our members has a Guinness record and after finishing a meet, when I was talking to him, he brought it up and just kind of sparked an idea,” he said.
Dr. Farzam is an avid weightlifter who trains for the sport four to five times a week.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Azerbaijani airliner crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 with 29 survivors, officials say
An Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people onboard crashed Wednesday near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors, a Kazakh official said.
Second storm incoming for Christmas Day in southern B.C.
Environment Canada has issued a new series of weather warnings for British Columbia’s south coast Christmas morning.
What is Christmas like for Quebec health-care workers who stay on the job?
Most Quebecers get together with family and friends on Christmas Eve, but many professions require people to remain on the job at all times, including health-care workers.
Read Trudeau's Christmas message
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full.
Man dead, woman in hospital after overnight housefire in Scarborough
An elderly man has died after being pulled from a two-alarm house fire in Scarborough Christmas morning.
Mother-daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time
For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom.
A look back and ahead at the stories making news in men's hockey
Connor McDavid was in tears. The Edmonton Oilers had given everything they could in a hard-fought Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers.
Richard Perry, record producer behind 'You're So Vain' and other hits, dies at 82
Richard Perry, a hitmaking record producer with a flair for both standards and contemporary sounds whose many successes included Carly Simon’s 'You’re So Vain,' Rod Stewart’s 'The Great American Songbook' series and a Ringo Starr album featuring all four Beatles, died Tuesday. He was 82.
Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano
One of the world's most active volcanoes spewed lava into the air for a second straight day on Tuesday.
London
-
Palace Theatre boarded up over the holidays due to recent damage
A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays.
-
Knights stars ready to help Canada chase gold at World Juniors
Three London Knights are on the roster, including Easton Cowan, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s first exhibition game.
-
London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak
London Fire Department was on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a delivery truck on Tuesday morning.
Windsor
-
Mother-daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time
For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom.
-
VIDEO
VIDEO From a repaired stuffed animal to an ATV, shoppers reveal the best gift they have ever received
We asked people of all ages getting in some last-minute Christmas Eve shopping inside Windsor’s Devonshire Mall to talk about the best present they've ever received — and their answers might just warm your heart this holiday season.
-
'We may have to look at other sensible locations': Where will Windsor’s new H4 be located?
The search for a site to house Windsor’s new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4) is back underway after the city scrapped plans at 700 Wellington Avenue on Monday.
Barrie
-
Here's when Santa is coming down your chimney, live tracking underway in Simcoe County
The spirit of Christmas is in the air as Santa Claus begins his lasting journey to deliver presents to children around the region.
-
Help this missing pup make it home for Christmas
The Ontario SPCA in Barrie needs your help bringing this handsome pup home to his family before Christmas.
-
Last minute shoppers braced for chaos but found calm on Christmas Eve
Many shoppers were out on Christmas Eve, and while the rush was expected to be chaotic, many found the day surprisingly manageable.
Northern Ontario
-
Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus
Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination.
-
Quebec suspect charged with stunt driving in northern Ont.
A 25-year-old from Notre Dame du Nord, Que., has been charged with stunt driving, police in Temiskaming said Tuesday.
-
Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Sault shopper caught with stolen credit cards
A Sault man’s illegal shopping spree came to an abrupt end over the weekend.
-
Ontario First Nation challenging selection of underground nuclear waste site in court
A First Nation in northern Ontario is challenging the selection of a nearby region as the site of a deep geological repository that will hold Canada's nuclear waste, arguing in a court filing that it should have had a say in the matter as the site falls "squarely" within its territory.
-
Sault man arrested after security guard kicked in the head over the weekend, police say
A 36-year-old Sault man was arrested Christmas Eve following an incident over the weekend.
Ottawa
-
Things to do in Ottawa on Christmas Day
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa on Christmas Day.
-
Firefighters contain fire to basement before it could spread in Vanier
Ottawa Fire Services says a fire that started in a chair in the basement of a duplex in Vanier this Christmas morning was quickly stopped before spreading into the entire structure.
-
Here’s how it feels in Ottawa this Christmas Day
Lower-than-average temperatures are in the forecast for Ottawa, as it feels like minus 17 this Christmas morning.
Toronto
-
Man dead, woman in hospital after overnight housefire in Scarborough
An elderly man has died after being pulled from a two-alarm house fire in Scarborough Christmas morning.
-
Woman rushed to hospital after being pulled from Davisville apartment fire
An elderly woman was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being pulled from an apartment fire in the Davisville Village area Christmas Eve.
-
'A strong woman who never gave up': East Toronto neighbourhood shaken by death of unhoused resident
People in Toronto’s east end are shaken after a well-known unhoused woman from the community reportedly died over the weekend.
Montreal
-
Montreal man dead after boat explodes in Fort Lauderdale
A Montreal man is dead and several others are injured after a boat exploded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
-
Premier François Legault sends holiday greetings to Quebecers
Quebec Premier François Legault extended his holiday greetings to Quebecers on Tuesday evening, on the occasion of Christmas Eve.
-
What is Christmas like for Quebec health-care workers who stay on the job?
Most Quebecers get together with family and friends on Christmas Eve, but many professions require people to remain on the job at all times, including health-care workers.
Atlantic
-
Two deaths in Truro ruled homicides: RCMP
Police in Nova Scotia are investigating after two deaths in Truro, N.S., over the weekend have been ruled homicides.
-
Snow forecast through Christmas Eve for parts of the Maritimes
Parts of the Maritimes that were hit by a weekend snowstorm are in for more of the white stuff this Christmas Eve.
-
'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits for sale in Moncton, N.B.
A rare bottle of Scotch whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, N.B., with a price tag reading $55,000.
Winnipeg
-
'They gambled with trees': Cutting down trees resumes in Lemay Forest
The next chapter of the Lemay Forest saga has unfolded as the sounds of trees coming down could be heard Monday.
-
One person dead, another injured following Monday night house fire
One person has died and another is in unstable condition following a house fire Monday evening.
-
Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen
The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area.
Calgary
-
Speed, alcohol possible factors in Glenmore Trail crash that left man, 18, dead: police
Speed and alcohol are possible factors in a fatal crash on Glenmore Trail on Monday night, according to police.
-
Azerbaijani airliner crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 with 29 survivors, officials say
An Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people onboard crashed Wednesday near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors, a Kazakh official said.
-
King Charles III is set to focus on healthcare workers in his traditional Christmas message
King Charles III is expected to use his annual Christmas message to highlight health workers, at the end of a year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton apartment building boarded up after evacuation order from the city
An Edmonton apartment building that was evacuated for safety reasons on Monday now sits boarded up.
-
Azerbaijani airliner crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 with 29 survivors, officials say
An Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people onboard crashed Wednesday near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors, a Kazakh official said.
-
King Charles III is set to focus on healthcare workers in his traditional Christmas message
King Charles III is expected to use his annual Christmas message to highlight health workers, at the end of a year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer.
Regina
-
Here's what's open and what's closed in Regina this holiday season
Here's what residents can expect in terms of city services as Regina slides right into the Christmas holidays.
-
This miniature village is a Christmas tradition for one Regina family
A miniature Christmas village made of decorative houses and buildings has been slowly growing in a Regina home.
-
Here are the most borrowed books of 2024, according to Regina Public Library
The Regina Public Library (RPL) has shared its most popular books just in time for the new year.
Saskatoon
-
'People prop the doors open': Saskatoon resident concerned as people shelter in her stairwell
With the number of homeless people in Saskatoon at an unprecedented high, it’s no surprise people are looking for places to warm up.
-
Sask. highway closed following serious collision
The Saskatchewan RCMP are investigating a serious collision on Highway 7, approximately 15 kilometres west of Rosetown.
-
A separate Ukrainian Christmas may be a thing of the past
There might be more households than usual celebrating this Christmas Eve, as many Ukrainians around the world are opting to abandon the orthodox calendar.
Vancouver
-
Read Trudeau's Christmas message
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full.
-
Second storm incoming for Christmas Day in southern B.C.
Environment Canada has issued a new series of weather warnings for British Columbia’s south coast Christmas morning.
-
BC Ferries cancels many Christmas Day sailings, says others 'at risk'
The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast is already disrupting many Christmas Day travel plans.
Vancouver Island
-
BC Ferries cancels many Christmas Day sailings, says others 'at risk'
The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast is already disrupting many Christmas Day travel plans.
-
Janitors at Vancouver airport ratify deal with employer, end strike
The janitors who clean the Vancouver International Airport have ratified a new collective agreement with their employer, ending their strike on Christmas Eve.
-
Gas leaking after truck crash in Port Moody not ammonia, police say
There were tense moments for first responders in Port Moody on Christmas Eve, after a commercial truck crashed and began leaking gas.
