Guinness World Records reveal UAE feats
dubai — The most mechanical energy produced by pedalling on static bicycles in one hour, the largest flower arrangement and the largest standing lantern are just a few of the UAE record breakers included in the 2018 edition of the book Guinness World Records being released this week.
Speaking at the official book launch event at the Burj Khalifa, which itself holds 11 separate world records, Guinness World Records Mena country manager Talal Omar noted that the Middle East saw 96 record titles taking place across the region in 2016.
As of April 2017, the UAE holds 186 Guinness World Records — with 139 of those held in Dubai. “That’s a little bit of a drop. It was more than this in the past. However, records are gained and lost, so if you have a record and it’s broken in South Korea or Sweden, you lose it and it goes to that country,” he said. “It’s a competition between countries.”
While people and organisations across the Middle East are constantly striving to break world records, Omar noted that record-breaking is particularly important in Dubai. “They always strive to be number one. That’s what we feel when we speak to anyone from here,” he said. “They want to compete and show they’re a young country that is advancing very fast. It’s impressive.”
As an example, Omar noted that he often tells people that they can have a “record breaking journey” whenever they visit the emirate. “You land at the busiest airport in the world, and you take the the longest driverless metro network in the world,” he noted. “You pass by Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower, the largest shopping mall The Dubai Mall, and past Ski Dubai the largest indoor ski (centre).”
“People break records for many different reasons. I’ve seen hundreds
Dubai always strives to be number one. That’s what we feel when we speak to anyone from here. They want to compete and show they’re a young country that is advancing very fast.” Talal Omar, country manager, Guinness World Records Mena
in my time at Guinness World Records,” he added. “Sometimes it’s people’s dreams they want to fulfill. For others — and that’s what we see here — it’s a competition. You’re proud of yourself and your country and you want to put it on the map. That’s what we see here in the region. It’s a very positive thing.”
Globally, among the new and unique records unveiled in the 2018 edition of the book are the longest fingernails (18 feet, 10.9 inches), the oldest bodybuilder (83 years and six days), the longest eyelash (12.40 cm) and the cat with the longest tail (44.66 cm).
When asked if he had a favourite regional record, Omar said he is more inspired by the person who breaks the record. “You listen to their story, and you see the passion they have and dedication to do this,” he said. “It’s the act itself... we’re very privileged to live with these people from the time its a dream, to when they achieve it.”
Omar said that the Guinness World Record hopes to soon release an Arabic-language edition. “The Middle East didn’t grow up with the book. If you lived in the West, it’s probably a Christmas gift,” he said. “But over here, I and others remember the TV more than the book. But now we want the book here to encourage everyone and probably discover their potential and compete with the rest of the world. Hopefully, we will have an Arabic edition out next year.”
bernd@khaleejtimes.com