KUWAIT: Through sheer will and an unflinching determination to succeed, a trio of Kuwaiti Army officers have broken a Guinness skydiving world record for leaping 13,000 feet while carrying aloft a 63-square meter Kuwaiti flag. Kuwaiti lieutenant colonels Fahad Al-Yaqoub, Salem Al-Mell and Nasser Al-Sabah have set a skydiving world record through this notable achievement, according to Guinness judges. What started as an ambitious idea morphed into a huge accomplishment, an elated Al-Mell said yesterday, saying the triumvirate were not fazed by the hardships they encountered.

The accolade, he explained, is a testament to what Kuwaiti youngsters are capable of, saying he derived a sense of gratification from seeing the Kuwaiti flag fluttering proudly in the blue sky. Echoing his compatriot's sentiments, Al-Yaqoub said breaking a Guinness world record is no easy feat, citing the adversity the officers have had to withstand in an effort to turn their dreams into reality. "This world-class achievement would not have been remotely possible without the support of the Kuwaiti leadership and people," he emphasized. With a little time to let their accomplishment sink in, Al-Sabah revealed that the officers were inundated with congratulations messages from Kuwait's political leaders, chief among them Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah .Officials from across Kuwait's political spectrum were ecstatic over the "unprecedented achievement," commending the officers for making all Kuwaitis proud, he added. - KUNA