-- Grab EHS RSS FeedThe London 2012 Olympic Games are in full competitive glory and world records in weightlifting, swimming and archery have been smashed. But how do the world's strongest animals, most accurate archers and champion boxers measure up?
The remarkable achievements of one athlete have earned him the accolade of the most successful Olympian in history, after winning his 20th gold from three Games.
But are Michael Phelps and the other record-breaking Olympians any match for nature's best? BBC Nature has previously examined animal track and field stars, but other incredible feats have also been recorded.
Hossein Rezazadeh of Iran remains one of the greatest weightlifters of all time, lifting a mighty 263kg for a current clean and jerk world record.
But ants are also capable of some remarkable feats of strength for their diminutive size.
Remarkably, a leaf-cutter ant can carry a piece of leaf 50 times its own body weight. Could Hossein carry a van weighing over 2300kg?
Probably not.
So he would be even less happy going up against a rhinoceros beetle.
The male can lift an astonishing 850 times their body weight, or put another way, Hossein lifting six double-decker buses weighing over 8000kg.
But, the species to beat is a tiny mite that has been shown holding forces of up to 1180 times its weight and even pull 530 times its weight on a vertical surface.
These extraordinary invertebrates would get a well-deserved first place and gold medal.
George Williams,
General Manager - Staff Entomologist
