A Romanian teenager who rose to fame as the 'world's strongest boy' has been accused of 'begging' for crypto on Facebook.
Giuliano Stroe made headlines around the world 12 years ago when he became a Guinness World Records holder for the fastest 33-foot hand-walk on record.
At just five years of age, the youngster performed the stunt with a weighted ball on his leg and live on Italian television.
In 2010, he also broke the record for the most 90-degree push-ups. He did 20, breaking the previous record of 12 live on Romanian TV.
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At just five years old, Giuliano looked to have the world at his feet. But now 17, he has turned to cryptocurrency to keep himself in the spotlight.
"Who want help me with some crypto? I need a little help to start this game," he wrote on Facebook at the end of March, showing an image of the zero balance in his crypto wallet.
One person replied, accusing the young man of "begging".
"Next you’ll be begging for us to send you crypto now to fund 'boxing completions' for your kids lol," wrote Brad Brydges.
"He’s in crypto for begging," another person replied, while a third person said: "To trade in crypto you need money."
Another implored: "Please Stop begging brother."
Giuliano got his fitness drive from his father Iulian, who in 2014 spoke of his determination to make his son famous.
Living in Florence, Italy, with his family, Giuliano went through a gruelling two-hour regime each morning.
However, things took a turn when his father was forced to return to Romania.
Iulian was making a living from scrap metal trading in the village of Icoana, and had hoped to come to the UK to find either work or a sponsor for his boys.
Even if Giuliano has turned his attention to crypto, that doesn't mean his fitness aspirations have been sidelined.
It looks as though the rest of Giuliano's family stayed in Italy, and are looking at setting up a private boxing club where he and his brother Claudio can train in preparation of the National European Championship.
The two brothers are active on YouTube, where they upload videos of their training and brutal workouts.
Alex Brotherton