South Africa: Athlete traverses 600 monkey bars under a 216-metre bridge

Loading the video No Comment Video. South Africa: Athlete traverses 600 monkey bars under a 216-metre bridge Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 27 October 2026 - 17:24 GMT+1 Suspended beneath South Africa's 216-metre-high Bloukrans Bridge, Thomas van Tonder crossed 600 monkey bars over more than 280 metres, completing the challenge in 47 minutes and 37 seconds. South African obstacle course racing world champion Thomas van Tonder completed a world-first crossing beneath the Bloukrans Bridge, navigating 600 suspended monkey bars along more than 280 metres of its towering arch. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The athlete finished the Red Bull Bridge Bars challenge in 47 minutes and 37 seconds, suspended beneath the 216-metre-high bridge. Setting off at 10:21 with a heart rate of 150 beats per minute, he immediately faced the course's steepest section, a 45-degree ascent that forced him to pull himself upwards, bar by bar, while facing backwards. The gruelling ascent pushed Van Tonder's grip beyond its limits, while the descent demanded precise control as gravity pulled him between bars and the tape protecting his fingers wore away. Battling exhaustion, he focused on one bar at a time, completing all 600 without giving up. Thomas van Tonder described the crossing as “one of my biggest dreams and missions for the last two years” and said: “I have finished what I started.” South Africa World record Extreme Sports Cape Town Top stories Now playing Next South Africa: Athlete traverses 600 monkey bars under a 216-metre bridge Now playing Next Myanmar: spectacular lantern festival lights up ancient temples in Bagan Now playing Next Turkey: tornado kills at least four workers at Antalya construction site Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 27th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next 'Unacceptable violation': Syria condemns Jordan airstrikes Now playing Next Finland's puppy livestream grips millions worldwide Now playing Next Mbappé apologises for 'ill-judged' joke about China's Mao Zedong Now playing Next 2.92-metre monster fish: German angler lands giant catfish from Polish reservoir Now playing Next EU to give Frontex new powers to deport migrants from outside Europe Now playing Next Trump calls Norway a ‘shithouse country’ over Nobel Peace Prize snub Now playing Next Ceasefire begins in Russian-occupied Oleshky as strikes hit Kyiv Now playing Next Too close to call: Israelis vote in Netanyahu-Eisenkot showdown Now playing Next Tashkent modernism enters the UNESCO World Heritage List Now playing Next To the moon and beyond: Astronauts Chris Hadfield and Victor Glover on why the 'New Space race matters Now playing Next Finnish and Norwegian leaders call Putin, urge restart of peace talks Now playing Next From Baku’s waterfront to the Greater Caucasus: a new winter destination within reach ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Ukraine: firefighters battle flames and rescue dog from Kyiv ruins No Comment Israel: October 7 families remember victims as voters head to polls No Comment France: crowds fill Marseille's Old Port in anti-racism protest No Comment Russia: flames engulf buildings after Ukrainian drone attack in Voronezh region Europe Today Win or lose, Netanyahu could remain in power for months after Israeli election as Iran tensions loom Israel Israelis head to polls in first general election since 7 October attacks with no clear favourite World News Trump calls Norway a ‘shithouse country’ over Nobel Peace Prize snub Europe News Harry Kane is first Bundesliga player since Matthias Sammer to win Ballon d'Or Art Scientists uncover new clues to the actual night sky behind Van Gogh’s The Starry Night Europe Today Europe Today: Israel votes on Netanyahu's future as Orbán is floated for UN chief EU News Ukraine's €70 billion shortfall could make or break the next EU budget Ukraine US-brokered ceasefire begins in Russian-occupied Oleshky as strikes hit Kyiv ADVERTISEMENT Europe News Turkey-Libya maritime boundaries deal 'remains null and void,' Greek foreign minister says Brazil Trump says Brazil election looked 'rigged' without giving evidence Venezuela María Corina Machado seeks talks with Delcy Rodríguez after return from exile No Comment UK: Oxford Street pedestrianisation begins in central London EU News Exclusive: EU to give Frontex new powers to deport migrants from outside Europe Business Cyprus signs $1.8bn deal to develop first gas field, with exports to Europe via Egypt Europe Today 'Yes Bibi or No Bibi': Netanyahu's political future overshadows Israel's election Culture news The architectural heritage of Greece's Kea island: Vibrant colours, stone houses and watermills ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT