Compressing glassy carbon above 40 GPa, we have observed a new carbon allotrope with a fully sp 3 -bonded amorphous structure and diamond-like strength. Synchrotron x-ray Raman spectroscopy revealed a continuous pressure-induced sp 2 -to-sp 3 bonding change, while x-ray diffraction confirmed the perseverance of non-crystallinity. The transition was reversible upon releasing pressure. Used as an indenter, the glassy carbon ball demonstrated exceptional strength by reaching 130 GPa with a confining pressure of 60 GPa. Such an extremely large stress difference of >70 GPa has never been observed in any material besides diamond, indicating the high hardness of this high-pressure carbon allotrope.