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An expert sky diver from the United Arab Emirates has set a new world record for base jumping from the top of the Burj Khalifa. Nasr Al Niyadi and his trainer Omar Al Hegelan made a perfect landing after jumping 2,205ft from the 160th floor of the world's tallest building in Dubai on Tuesday.

The pair, from the Emirates Aviation Society, made the descent at speeds up to 137mph in under one and a half minutes. Mr Al Niyadi, who was one of 15 base jumpers to set the previous world record for base jumping off the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, described the feat as 'the best experience ever'

'When we were at the top of the building I was thinking "this is crazy",' he told gulfnews.com. 'I was a little nervous but I wanted to jump from the highest tower in the world to record an achievement for my family and for my country.

'As soon as we reached the ground I looked up and just thought "wow". I have completed over 2,700 jumps but this was the most amazing.' Base jumping refers to the four categories of fixed objects from which people taking part jump - buildings, antennas, bridges or spans and cliffs or earth.

Mr Al Niyadi and Mr Al Hegelan, both members of the Fazza Sky Team, landed safely at Burj Park Island after a breathtaking 10 second freefall and 80 second parachute flight.

Mr Al Niyadi, a father-of-five, was greeted by his children as he touched down. His youngest son, who is 14, is currently training to be a parachutist.

He said: 'They all want to do what I am doing and the youngest is even getting trained to jump with parachutes. 'I received skydiving training in Italy, Spain, France and Germany. It is an adventurous sport, but to me it is a hobby.'

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