Three UAE-based Indians set world record in 13,000-ft skydive

Three Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates were part of a Guinness World Record-setting skydive over Benghazi, Libya, on August 7. Jamsheer Thanalot, Abhishek Rawat and Isha Raj were among 65 skydivers from 38 nationalities who jumped from a military Ilyushin Il-76TD aircraft at 13,000 feet, each carrying their national flag. The record was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records on August 14, just ahead of India's Independence Day.

The skydivers had to deploy parachutes, unfurl large flags without entanglement, maintain safe distances and land within a designated camera-monitored area. The trio completed three trial jumps before the final attempt, which Thanalot described as extremely rare in the sport, as most such jumps involve no more than 21 skydivers. "It is a very proud feeling for us," he told Khaleej Times, while Rawat said having 65 exit a single aircraft was stressful despite a combined total of over 1,500 jumps between them.