IF you’re staring into the mirror, wondering how the years have passed you by and feeling like you really need to make some sort of global impact, then there is a solution.
The Guinness World Records invites the wackiest, most nonsensical ideas for its annual world record titles – the perfect solution for a seemingly talentless individual to gain some truly undeserving praise.
And if you feel like this is just beyond your reach, then here is a look at some of your fellow South Africans who have managed to gain international recognition for their truly bizarre talents.
1. Record for most consecutive backwards handsprings… off one hand
Kicking things off is Zama Mofokeng, a South African gymnast who sprung to fame with 34 consecutive backwards handsprings. All this despite Zama suffering from a hand injury when he was 13 years old.
The great thing about the Guinness World Records is that you don’t have to do it alone. It can be a group activity involving yourself and a whole host of other oddballs looking to make a minor impression on the world.
2. Record for the world’s largest gathering of dogs… wearing bandanas
With nothing better to do, the Gauteng dog-owning community herded together, tied bandanas around their dogs’ heads, and set a world record. All 765 canine-loving madmen and women.
3. Record for most people blowing a vuvuzela… simultaneously
It blew us into notoriety with the 2010 Soccer World Cup and remains our blaring beacon of infamy – the vuvuzela.
South Africa retains the title (and probably will forever considering it was banned in several countries) for the most vuvuzela’s blown at once. It was 12 511 ear-blasting vuvuzelas blown at a fixture between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
If these seem like insurmountable achievements, here are a few others you could consider tackling to make it into the record books:
• Most spoons balanced on a body – currently held by Etibar Elchyev with a record 50 spoons.
• Most bees on a body – held by Chinese beekeeper, She Ping, totalling 73 pounds of bees.
• Cycling non-stop in the 100-year-old category – if you’re a centenarian then this one could be for you! You just have to beat French cyclist Robert Marchand’s one-hour record.
• Loudest bark – for the canine readers! The record is held by a golden retriever named Charlie, registering at 113.1 decibels.
• Tallest mohawk – if you were considering a new hairstyle then why not take the record from Kazuhiro Watanabe, a Japanese fashion designer who sports a 3-foot, 8.6-inch tall mohawk.
Now that you have the inspiration, get out there, grow your hair, bark loudly, ride a bike or grow a really big onion to show the world just how incredibly talented you are.
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