Jump directly to the content

THIS is the incredible moment a Russian gymnast shows off his almost super-human upper body strength as he turns a backflip into a handstand.

Alexander Didenko calls himself a “professional calisthenics athlete” on his page.

 After performing a backflip, Alexander Didenko is able to suspend his body before his feet reach the ground
3
After performing a backflip, Alexander Didenko is able to suspend his body before his feet reach the groundCredit: Alexander Didenko/Instagram

In his latest clip, the athlete does a backflip but before his feet reach the ground he is able to pause his fall and suspend his body just inches from his gym mat.

He is then able to hold his torso in a horizontal position for a few seconds before raising his legs and performing a handstand.

The gymnast, who lives in Ukraine, has managed to pick up more than 43,000 followers on his Instagram page which shows off his incredible physical ability.

One astonished viewer wrote: “What the hell are you?”

Another posted: “You are a monster.”

While a third joked: “When is leg day?”

In another video posted on his page, Didenko goes through a routine where he pulls off a number of "hands-only" push-ups - repeatedly raising and lowering his body while balanced only on his hands - as a group of young gymnasts watch in stunned silence.

Calisthenics is a form of exercise focusing on improving strength, fitness and flexibility, using your own bodyweight as resistance.

It improves muscular and aerobic ability as well as psychomotor skills, including balance and agility.

The US Army uses calisthenic exercises in its physical evaluations.

 Didenko starts off his routine with what seems like a normal backflip
3
Didenko starts off his routine with what seems like a normal backflipCredit: Alexander Didenko/Instagram
 After performing the backflip he then turns it into a handstand
3
After performing the backflip he then turns it into a handstandCredit: Alexander Didenko/Instagram


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.

Topics