Embrace the World: Indian Man Becomes World’s-Fastest Hugger (VIDEO)

Krishna Kumar from the city of Hyderabad set the record for the Most Hugs Given in One Minute by an Individual, embracing 79 different kids at a school in Andhra Pradesh.

Krishna managed to hug 83 of the 88 students who had queued up to get involved in a speed-hugging challenge. However, the Guinness World Records team of judges disqualified some of his hugs for improper form — they were more like headlocks than hugs. According to the rules for this record title, both arms have to be wrapped around the other person in a close embrace to count as a proper hug.

In his application for the title, Krishna told Guinness World Records: "Achieving a Guinness World Record, I consider as… the highest level of human achievement."

The previous record for the most hugs in one minute was achieved by Carrie Bickmore in Australia in 2014, who gave 77 hugs.

India has its own record book, published with the patronage of Coca-Cola India, the Limca Book of Records, which showcases India's Incredibles, chronicling their achievements and talents across different fields.