Everest Box Jump Challenge: Sensei Shintaro, Glick & Eugene Go Big! | #challenge #judo
In judo, explosive power can make the difference between a perfect throw and just a close call. But what happens when you take that explosiveness and aim for something truly outrageous—like jumping the total height of Mount Everest? That’s exactly what Sensei Shintaro, Sensei Glick, and Shintaro’s cousin Eugene set out to do in the Everest Box Jump Challenge.
Watch the full video here ↓
The Idea: Box Jump to the Top of the World
Mount Everest towers at 29,032 feet. In Eugene’s take on the challenge, each box jump is measured for height—using a 36-inch plyometric box, that’s 3 feet per jump. Do 100 of them, and you’ve “climbed” 300 vertical feet. Keep logging jumps until you hit Everest’s elevation, and you’ve conquered the challenge.
Sounds straightforward… until you do the math. For a 3-foot box, that’s over 9,677 jumps to match Everest’s height. And yes, someone once did nearly that in a single day—for charity. Eugene’s approach? Space it out over weeks or months, tracking the total distance until he “reaches” the summit.
The Training Benefits (& Risks)
As Eugene pointed out, box jumps aren’t just about bragging rights—they build the explosive leg drive essential for grappling sports like judo and BJJ. Olympic lifting, plyometrics, and similar exercises help train the fast-twitch muscle fibers crucial for powerful throws.
That said, this is not a beginner’s workout. High-volume plyometrics can be tough on the joints, so anyone trying it needs a base of strength training—especially squats—before attempting Everest-level volume. As Glick joked, maybe there’ll be a “Jump to Everest Fails” video for the reps where fatigue hits hard.
The Friendly Rivalry
The back-and-forth banter is half the fun. Shintaro, fresh off knee surgery six weeks prior, took a conservative start—just one foot for his first rep. Glick teased him about “all the excuses,” while Eugene committed to posting progress updates on Instagram to keep himself honest. Predictions flew about whether Eugene would finish by the end of summer, with some skepticism about his other commitments… but now that the challenge is public, bailing isn’t an option.
How to Join the Challenge
You can adapt the Everest Box Jump Challenge to your own level:
Use a box height you’re comfortable with.
Log each day’s total feet (jumps x box height).
Keep going until you hit 29,032 feet—whether in one epic day, over a week, or over the year.
Shorter “summits” like Hunter Mountain or Mount Fuji make this more manageable while keeping the spirit of the challenge.
Shintaro and the crew are even considering adding a charity element, encouraging anyone interested to get sponsored for their climb and donate to a cause—like supporting judo athletes.
Why Do It?
Aside from the laughs, the Everest Box Jump Challenge is a reminder that training doesn’t have to be routine. By setting a fun, measurable (and slightly ridiculous) goal, you keep workouts fresh, engage your community, and develop athletic qualities that carry onto the mat.
“Judo players are no strangers to pain and torture,” Eugene laughed. “So this just makes sense.”
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