Dandy Dominicans
Today the Dominican Republic celebrates its independence from Haiti in 1844. Here are some of its GWR highlights:
Oldest president
Joaquin Balaguer (1907-2002) was president of the Dominican Republic 1960-62, 1966-78, and 1986-96. He ultimately left office at the age of 89, having held the presidency for over 23 years in total.
Oldest player in Major League Baseball to hit a home run
At 48 years 254 days, Julio Franco (Dominican Republic, b. 23 August 1958) became the oldest player in major league history to hit a home run when he connected off Randy Johnson (USA) for a two-run home run to help lead the New York Mets (USA) to a 5-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks (USA) at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona (USA), on 4 May 2007.
Greatest distance covered in 24 hours by wheelchair
Rafael Emilio de León Lebrón (Dominican Republic) wheeled himself a distance of 181.147 km (112.5 miles) in 24 hours on 13-14 December 2001 at the Juan Pablo Duarte Centro Olímpico, Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Dominican Republic.
Fastest mile hula hopping while balancing a milk bottle on the head
The fastest mile hula hooping whilst balancing a milk bottle on the head is 13 min 50 sec set by Ashrita Furman (USA) on the front of the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on 7 December 2007.
Most Major League Baseball parks to hit a home run in
The Major League Baseball (MLB) record for hitting a home run in the most different major league ballparks is 45 by Sammy Sosa (Dominican Republic) playing for the Texas Rangers (USA), Chicago White Sox (USA), Chicago Cubs (USA), and Baltimore Orioles (USA) from 1989 to 2007.
27 February 2008