Makes 1,338 of 1,517 shots in one hour.
By:
Local resident Mike Campbell has set a new Guinness World Record for the most successful free throws in one hour.
His world record from last year, which was 1,197 made of 1,347 attempts set July 21, 2006, at the Princeton Family YMCA is in the current Guinness Book of World Records, 2008 Edition. After failing to improve the record this past April at the 16th Annual NJ Hoop-a-thon for the benefit of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, NJ Chapter, at Rutgers University, Campbell decided to continue training for another possible attempt.
Along with shooting practice, he worked on his endurance and participated in several area events such as the New York Road Runners Healthy Kidney 10K, WABC Father’s Day Fight Against Prostate Cancer 5 Miler, and the recent NJ State Triathlon at Mercer County Park.
After recently coordinating with Guinness World Records to finalize another attempt, Campbell learned that his record had been broken by an athlete from the United Kingdom and was now 1,271 successful free throws which is slightly more than 21 free throws a minute for an entire hour! Since the only way to break this new record was to take more shots and shoot at a high percentage, his game plan was to shoot at a very quick pace of about a shot every 2.5 seconds and hopefully make 90 percent.
On a brief business trip and feeling ready, he coordinated with the historic Denver Downtown YMCA to make the attempt on Friday, August 17th. James Naismith, the inventor of the sport of basketball, had worked there as the Director of Physical Education from 1895 to 1898.
Campbell missed his first shot but then made the next several as the hour started. After 10 minutes, he had made 204 of 226 for 90.26 percent, but was behind pace. After 20 minutes, he was at 412 of 461 for 89.37 percent, but was still behind. Realizing he had to quicken the pace, he began shooting more quickly and after 30 minutes he was at 640 of 714 for 89.63 percent and was near record pace.
After 40 minutes, he was at 870 of 976 for 89.13 percent and finally was ahead of pace. But there was still 20 minutes left to go! Could he keep that pace and percentage? After 50 minutes, he was at 1,107 of 1,246 for 88.84 percent and was even further ahead of pace. This included some of Campbell’s best shooting as he made 28 of 29 during one minute and 44 straight!
Although fatigued, Campbell finished strong during the remaining 10 minutes. Upon completion of the one hour, he had made 1,338 of 1,517 attempts and regained the Guinness World Record for the most successful free throws in one hour. He shot slightly quicker than the planned pace and at 88.20 percent overall was near the target percentage. The average was more than 22 free throws a minute.
As per Guinness World Record guidelines and procedures, the attempt was videotaped and is pending verification.

