Today marked the tenth annual Guinness World Records Day, which saw thousands of people around the world come together to celebrate the international day of record-breaking.

The event saw Sultan Kösen and Chandra Bahadur Dangi, the world’s tallest and shortest living men, meet for the very first time.

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The pair were greeted by the world’s media this morning at St Thomas’s Hospital in London to mark Guinness World Records Day in the UK, and to celebrate the 60 th Anniversary of Guinness World Records.

Sultan, 31, who hails from Turkey and measures a staggering, record breaking 2m 51cm (8ft 3in), said of the occasion: “It has been a real privilege to have taken part in Guinness World Records Day 2014. I love London and to be able to finally meet Chandra after all this time is amazing. Even though he is short and I am tall, we have had similar struggles throughout our lives and when I look into Chandra’s eyes, I can see he’s a good man.”

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Sultan and Chandra arrived at London St Thomas’ in black London taxis to the wonderment of the on-looking media and guests, and enjoyed tea and cake with Guinness World Records’ Editor in Chief, Craig Glenday, overlooking Houses of Parliament and the River Thames.

Chandra, 75, (54.6cm / 21.5 inches), who comes from Nepal, added: “It’s been a lifelong dream to travel and becoming a Guinness World Records title holder has enabled me to do that. I’m honoured to be in London, I’ve always wanted to visit and the fact I get to meet Sultan is special. It makes me extremely proud to represent Nepal all around the world, I’m extremely humbled by the support I receive.”

As many as 600,000 other budding Guinness World Records title hopefuls from across the world took part in GWR Day 2014, with incredible records tumbling in Australia, France, Dubai, China, USA, Germany, Japan as well as in the UK.

In Shanghai, China, the Guinness World Record title for the most people eating breakfast in bed was smashed.

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A grand total of 388 people congregated in Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai, to tuck in to their morning meal simultaneously, beating the incumbent record by a whopping 99 people.

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Records for the largest rice mosaic (1,798 sq.m) and the largest line dance (multiple venues) (25,703) were also surpassed, all in the name of GWR Day 2014.

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The iconic Moulin Rouge in Paris, France, also contributed hugely on GWR Day 2014.

Dancers from the famous cabaret club broke the record for the most simultaneous demi-grand rond de jambe cancan kicks by a single chorus line in 30 seconds, with a fantastic 29 kicks.

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The Moulin Rouge was also the venue for other victorious record breaking attempts including most spinning spits in 30 seconds (36) and the most times to position one leg behind the heads in 30 sec by an individual (30).


In New York, USA, largest high heeled shoe was created by Jill Martin and fashion brand Kenneth Cole. The shoe measures an astounding 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) long and 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) tall.

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Not to be outdone, Thunder Law of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters scored a slam dunk of a title. He landed the record for the farthest basketball shot made backwards – a huge 25 m (82 ft 2 in).

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To find out more about Thunder's incredible shot and to watch video of the attempt, click here.

Guinness World Records’ Editor in Chief Craig Glenday said of the event: “This has been the biggest Guinness World Records Day yet, with more than 600,000 people taking part across the globe, from Australia and China to Japan and the UK.

"It's a truly awe-inspiring international effort that brings together people from all walks of life. This is illustrated perfectly in the meeting of two of the most iconic living record-breakers, Messrs Dangi and Kösen – what an honour it has been to host them on the 10th anniversary of GWR Day.”

Established to commemorate the day in 2004 when Guinness World Records became the world’s best-selling copyright book, every year Guinness World Records Day captures the imagination of people young and old, from every side of the world to attempt some truly amazing and awe inspiring feats.

Elsewhere in the world there were new Guinness World Record title attempts for:

JAPAN
The fastest 100 m running on all fours was 15.86 seconds and was achieved by Katsumi Tamakoshi (Japan) at Komazawa Olympic Park Athletic Field, in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan, on 13 November 2014 in celebration of Guinness World Records Day 2014.

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To find out more about Katsumi's new record and to watch video of the race, click here.

The most paper aircrafts made in five minutes (team) is 4,880 and was achieved by Hinode Elementary School and Hinode Junior High School (both Japan) at Itako Chuo Community Center Gym, in Itako, Ibaraki, Japan in honour of Guinness World Records Day 2014.

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AUSTRALIA
The most people head banging simultaneously is 320 and was achieved by students of Armidale High School, NSW, Australia in honour of Guinness World Records Day 2014. (The song was ‘It’s a long way to the top’ by Aussie rockers AC/DC).

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The most spears caught from a spear gun underwater from a 2m (6 ft 6 in) distance in one minute is 10 and was achieved by Anthony Kelly (Australia) in the swimming pool at Sport UNE (University of New England) in Armidale, NSW, Australia, in honour of Guinness World Records Day 2014.

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UK
The largest gathering of people dressed as penguins is 373 and was achieved by Richard House (UK) in Queen’s Walk, London in honour of Guinness World Records Day 2014.

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For a full recap of the day’s event check out now closed live blog, which gave updates from the many record attempts from around the world as they happened.

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