In fact, he got so good at box jumping that he has even won two titles for it.

“I was looking for something I could attempt on my own as with the pandemic we were not allowed to play group sports,” the active 30-year-old tells FMT.

Then he came across the box jumping craze on Instagram and decided to give it a go.

Taking an instant liking to it, he began practising every chance he got and in a few months broke the Guinness World Record for highest standing jump on one leg.

“When I first started box jumping, I had no idea it would take me this far,” he laughs, explaining that he had no intention of breaking any world record until a random chat over dinner with his family.

“My dad made a joke about me breaking the world record and at that point I decided, ‘Why not? I will give it a try’.”

Harinder says he attempted the national record in March this year and was declared the official record holder for highest standing jump at 140 cm.

Two months later, he broke the Guinness World Record for the highest standing jump on one leg at 138.4 cm.

Training for these feats was no walk in the park but once he made up his mind to do it, Harinder was unflinching in his dedication.

He began a strict morning routine of yoga practice, followed by breakfast, massage and an ice bath. When permitted, he headed to the gym. And he never missed a single day of training to perfect his box jumping technique.

Harinder also follows a strict diet to stay in shape. He has been eating clean for years and has given up fast foods, chocolates and desserts.

“Eating clean however means that I didn’t even get to eat my birthday cake this year,” he laughs as he explains that his birthday was just a few weeks before his attempt to break the world record.

National and world titles aside, Harinder says that he wasn’t always showered with praise or encouragement for his box jumping feats. Social media users in particular, were harsh with their comments he says and it was tough blocking out the negativity and staying focussed.

When not scaling heights, he occupies his days with all things mathematical. “I have been teaching mathematics for about six years now and am currently teaching in an international school.”

However, it does seem like sports is his first love. While in school, he played football and basketball. He also began playing cricket, a game he was introduced to at 14, and which remains a big part of his life.

At 16, Harinder started playing for the national cricket team and still plays for them.

“My days usually start with work and once I am done, it is followed by cricket training and then to the gym to train for box jumping.”

“My main goal is to continue box jumping and make the national team,” he says, adding that if all goes well in the next few weeks, he could very well achieve this dream.

Follow Harinder on Instagram where he posts videos of his training routine as well as his diet tips.