Guinness World Records Day celebrates the weird and wacky

On Thursday, November 22nd, more than 420,000 people will attempt to smash world records and in some cases, raise money for charity.

About 400,000 of the participants will be school children using plastic cups to build pyramids (sport stacking) against the clock in the southern US. In Britian, Manjit Singh will attempt to lift 51 pounds using only his eye sockets, and in Germany, a team will try to beat a record for smashing the most coconuts in one minute. France will attempt a similar record smash, attempting to throw the most shaving-cream pies within a minute.

Some record breakers are using the day to help their favourite charity organizations, such as Alberto Deleonardis who is leading an effort in Italy to mint the largest chocolate coin in the world as a way to raise funds for a local primary school that was destroyed by an earthquake.

Zooming Zoomers

Don’t count the Zoomers out either. They hold a lot of fascinating records and plan to keep them in place.

A few examples: Johanna Quaas from Germany, the world’s oldest female gymnast at 86, still regularly participates in competitions (and wins!) – and she  only took up the sport at 56. She keeps her Guinness World Record certificate next to her other awards and medals.

Besse Cooper of Georgia holds the world record as the oldest Guinness certified living woman at 116 years young. The record for oldest living man belongs to Christian Mortensen, who lived 115 years and 252 days. He was the first man to reach 114 and 115 years of age.

The record for oldest person ever belongs to Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived 122 years and 164 days, all spent in her hometown of Arles, France. She was born in 1875 and died in 1997, outliving both her daughter and grandson.

Sumo wrestler Sharran Alexander of London, 47, holds the record for heaviest competing sportswoman at 448 pounds.

William Lawlis Pace held the record for longest living person with a bullet in the head, until he died in his sleep earlier this year, at the age of 103. He was accidentally shot by his brother Marvin with his father’s rifle when he was 8-years-old. Doctors were concerned that removing the bullet would cause more problems than it would solve, and decided to leave it in.

Ida Herbert of Toronto holds the record for oldest yoga teacher at 96.

Watch IBtimes TV at the Guinness World Records 2012 release:

Sources: Guinness World Records, Reuters, The Star, IBtimes TV 

READ MORE
Super Zoomers prove age is just a number
The oldest Olympian at London Games
Meet Esther and Martin, oldest couple to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Meet Canada’s oldest car dealer