While Lebanese flags of every size were raised across the country for Independence Day, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) alumnus Samer Madi (B.A. ’23) raised a very different emblem: the world’s first human flag, setting a new Guinness World Record for the Longest Straddle Human Flag on a Flying Helicopter – 21 seconds.
“When I approached Guinness World Records with the idea, they told me no one had ever done that,” Samer recalls. They agreed to consider his application only if he could verify that the stunt was entirely safe. That requirement brought other challenges: the Lebanese Army initially did not support the idea, prompting Samer to provide scientific information from engineers in a thorough 29-page safety report. The study outlined the recommended custom-designed ladder, the helicopter’s fast-rope beam structure, the ideal harness for the stunt, as well as the helmet’s international safety standards, using technical drawings and specifications.
Once the safety criteria were met, Samer had to assemble a full team: fitness education experts, coaches filming from three angles, and three fixed GoPro cameras. The result was a flawless 30-second human flag, executed on Independence Day at Kleiat Airport. Guinness World Records certified the cleanest 21 seconds of the performance, which was viewed by over 130 million people worldwide.
With a major in Physical Education and a Minor in Nutrition from NDU, Samer was equipped with a balanced, complementary foundation in both academics and fitness, that enabled him to develop a strict discipline over eight months: “I learned how to train all my muscles in a functional way while adopting a healthy lifestyle in parallel,” he explains. “If you steer away from unhealthy habits and train consistently, you can reach global standards.”
Although his preparation for this record stretches back eight years, the final eight months required exceptional discipline: going to bed at 9:00 p.m., training four hours daily, receiving physiotherapy every other day, following a strict diet, and reducing his body fat by 7 kilograms.
Samer’s journey began in South Lebanon, where a young, ambitious man chose to step out of his comfort zone to pursue his dream at NDU. The University’s education and gym facilities nurtured his passion and set him on the path to breaking world records. When asked about the support behind his success, Samer emphasizes the importance of being surrounded with “people who believe in you, and people with more experience who push you forward.” Today, being among the top five fitness coaches in Lebanon, Samer continues to train at the NDU Gym as he sets new goals.
Lebanon’s 2025 Independence Day will now be marked by a new flag, one carried not by fabric, but by human strength and determination, thanks to Samer Madi’s deep will in holding his country’s name high. Congratulations to Samer on his world-record achievement. May his perseverance and ambition continue to inspire people across the globe.