Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, also known as Kabonga, pulls a heavy weight with his teeth during a training session at his gym in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Photos of Egypt’s ‘strongman’ pulling ships, trains and cars in jaw-dropping feats
CAIRO (AP) — Ashraf Mahrous is Egypt’s “strongman.”
The Egyptian wrestler known as Kabonga has built his reputation on raw strength and relentless discipline. From Cairo to Hurghada, he’s become a familiar figure, training daily and performing extraordinary feats that test the limits of human endurance.
Mahrous, 44, has pulled cars and trains — and most recently, two ships weighing over 1,100 tons using only his teeth. Earlier this year, he was recognized for pulling a 279-ton train in Cairo.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, also known as Kabonga, pulls a train nearly 10 meters (33 feet) at Ramses Station in Cairo, Egypt, as Guinness World Record observers look, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, also known as Kabonga, is greeted by supporters as he prepares to pull a train nearly 10 meters (33 feet) at Ramses Station in Cairo, Egypt, while Guinness World Record observers look, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, better known as Kabonga, trains at his gym in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, also known as Kabonga, pulls a car during a training session in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, also known as Kabonga, is greeted by neighbors as he carries his lunch near his home in Cairo, Egypt, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, better known as Kabonga, trains at his gym in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, also known as Kabonga, is greeted by neighbors as he carries his lunch near his home in Cairo, Egypt, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, better known as Kabonga, eats his lunch meal at his home in Cairo, Egypt, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, also known by his nickname Kabonga, attempts to pull 20 vehicles at Al Safaa Club in 10th of Ramadan City, outside Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, also known by his nickname Kabonga, celebrates in front of his Guinness World Records certificates after attempting to pull 20 vehicles at Al Safaa Club in 10th of Ramadan City, outside Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, also known by his nickname Kabonga, celebrates after attempting to pull 20 vehicles at Al Safaa Club in 10th of Ramadan City, outside Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, also known by his nickname Kabonga, is greeted by fans after attempting to pull 20 vehicles at Al Safaa Club in 10th of Ramadan City, outside Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, better known as Kabonga, pulls a 700-ton ship across the water using only a rope held in his teeth at the marina in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, Egypt, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, better known as Kabonga, celebrates after pulling a 700-ton ship across the water using only a rope held in his teeth at the marina in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, Egypt, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, better known as Kabonga, pulls a 700-ton ship across the water using only a rope held in his teeth at the marina in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, Egypt, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)Egyptian wrestler Ashraf Mahrous, better known as Kabonga, celebrates as he pulls a 700-ton ship across the water using only a rope held in his teeth at the marina in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, Egypt, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
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