WATCH: SA football freestyler tells of bruising preparation for Guinness World Record

11 May, 04:40 PM

South African football freestyler Khris Njokwana has described as "worth it", his bruising journey towards his record-breaking feat that has earned him a Guinness World Record.

Njokwana successfully broke the world record for the "highest altitude football dropped and controlled" last month, although the news was only shared this week.

A crane dropped the ball from a height of 37.4m, and the freestyler from Langa, Cape Town, had to control the ball and make five touches before it hit the ground.

But fancy footwork alone was not enough – the preparation took its toll on Njokwana's body because of the extreme height.

"When it goes down, it goes down like a ton of bricks and I had bruises all over my body, but it was worth it in the end," Njokwana told News24.

He added that it was difficult for him to keep the news from his friends for a month.

Njokwana's success meant he beat Arsenal's Theo Walcott's previous record of 34m.