The Guinness Book of World Records has just released their latest update to honor those with some extraordinary abilities, as well as those who are, well, extraordinary. The 2012 edition offers plenty of excitement with new records broken, and there are even brand new records that have been created. With everything from the world’s shortest living woman to the longest distance for a human shot out of a cannonball, there is just so much cool stuff. If you haven’t looked into it already, there’s a possibility even you could get your name added into the record books. You may not be able to eat 18 dumplings in two minutes, but I’m sure it would be fun to try out with your friends.
Here are some of the favorites that have swept the globe this year:
WORLD’S LONGEST FINGERNAILS
Chris Walton holds the record for the longest fingernails. Each hand has nails around 10 feet long, and she hasn’t cut them since 1990. I just have a few questions: How does she eat? How many words can she type in a minute?
WORLD’S LARGEST ONION
Peter Glazebrook is the proud owner of the world’s largest onion. Weighing in at 16 pounds, 8 ounces, this thing makes me cry cutting and pasting it on here!
MOST DOGS JUMPING ROPE AT THE SAME TIME
The Japanese “Super Wan Wan Circus ” has set a new world record by having the most dogs jumping rope at the same time. There are 13 that can simultaneously jump while two trainers swing a rope for them to hop over. What’s next, barking and jumping at the same time? (I think it’s possible.)
WORLD’S YOUNGEST TO ROW THE ATLANTIC
Oliver Hicks was able to row the entire Atlantic Ocean completely by himself at 23. He was the youngest person to do so, traveling close to 4,000 miles in 123 days. If it were up to me, he should be getting more than a Guinness World Record.
WORLD’S LONGEST TONGUE (FEMALE)
Chanel Tapper has broken the world record for the longest tongue for females. According to Guinness, it’s 3.8 inches from tip to top lip. That’s one long licker!
WORLD’S FASTEST WEDDING CHAPEL
This is known as the fastest wedding chapel in the world. Rev. Darrell Best gives his bride and groom a wedding on-the-go experience. Traveling at up to 62 mph, this thing can make for an exciting road trip wedding.
WORLD’S FASTEST THREE POLES CHALLENGE COMPLETION
Norwegian Cecilie Skog is now the fastest female to complete the three poles challenge. She climbed Mount Everest, and also traveled to the North and South Poles in 1 year and 336 days. All I can say is WOW.
WORLD’S LONGEST DOG EARS
This Coonhound named Harbor has turned some heads with the world’s longest dog ears. His right ear is 13.5 inches, while his left is 12.25 inches. I wonder how dirty they got while he was a pup?
WORLD’S OLDEST PERSON TO SWIM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL
Roger Allsopp has made headlines as the oldest person to swim the English Channel. Roger is 70 years old and was able to not only beat cancer, but successfully complete this swim. What else can’t he do?
WORLD’S MOST PIERCINGS
This insane German named Rolf Buchholz has seemed to have accomplished having not only the most piercings in the world, but also looking the most ridiculous in a shirt and tie. He has managed to get 453 piercings and studs on various parts of his body. ‘Nuff said.
WORLD’S LARGEST VIOLIN
If someone ever actually had enough sympathy to play the world’s largest violin, it’s here! These German violin repairmen changed the way you’ll think about playing. They need two people to slide the bow, while a third is there to hold the notes on the fretboard …talk about teamwork.
WORLD’S LARGEST AFRO
Aevin Dougas now holds the record for the world’s largest natural grown afro with a circumference of 4 ft. 4 inches. According to Guinness, it’s bigger than a disco ball, and you could even fit the world’s smallest man inside of it. Now that’s funky.
WORLD’S HEAVIEST WOMAN
Weighing in at 643 pounds, Pauline Potter has come to terms with who she really is and accepted being the world’s heaviest woman. Even though there are definitely heavier women out there, she is the only one who has let Guinness officials weigh her.
WORLD’S YOUNGEST FEMALE TO CLIMB THE SEVEN SUMMITS
Now to the complete opposite side of the spectrum. Samantha Larson is the youngest female to climb the seven summits (she’s 18). She’s also the youngest non-Nepalese to climb Mt. Everest. That is quite the dedication.
WORLD’S YOUNGEST PERSON TO FLY AROUND THE WORLD
There’s no way someone who is 23 could possibly fly around the world solo in a plane that they built. Well Barrington Irving has proved me wrong. He has been inducted as the youngest person to fly around the world, as well as the first African-American to do so. If you don’t feel accomplished after that, there’s something wrong in your brain.
Willhelm
I’m reading Life-span Development
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Images courtesy of Guinness Book of World Records