Thousands of Guinness World Records titles were awarded this year.
Some changed hands multiple times, such as the fastest time to reach 1 million followers on Instagram, broken by NCT’s Taeil in July and then by V from BTS in December.
Many long-standing records were broken, such as the loudest burp (male), achieved by Neville Sharp (Australia), 12 years after the record was previously set.
Brand new records were also set, such as the fastest 100 m forward rolls (42.64 seconds), achieved by Beth Lodge (UK).
If you haven’t been keeping up, don’t worry – we’ve gathered some of our must-see records from 2021 right here!
Most premature baby
In April, the world’s most premature baby was determined fit enough to go home after 275 days in hospital.
Born in July 2020, exactly one month after the previous most premature baby, Curtis Zy-Keith Means (USA) was born at a gestational age of 21 weeks 1 day – that’s almost 19 weeks premature.
"They didn’t know if he was going to survive so they just told me to keep on praying" Curtis' mother revealed.
“We have never been able to bring a baby that young to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit so [Curtis] was literally the first of his kind. We were in uncharted territory” - Dr Brian Sims, Professor of Pediatrics at UAB Hospital
Longest fingernails on a pair of hands (female)
Also in April, Ayanna Williams (USA) broke her own record for having the world's longest fingernails on a pair of hands (female). Then she cut them off.
Since first achieving this record title in 2017, Ayanna's nails had grown to a length of 733.55 cm (24 ft 0.7 in).
"I’ve been growing my nails for a few decades now. I’m so, so ready for a new life. I’m know I’m going to miss them, but it’s just about that time – it’s time for them to go."
“I’m gonna always be the queen that I am, with or without my nails”
Longest hair ever on a teenager
We also revealed another record-breaking makeover in April this year.
Since 2018, Nilanshi Patel (India) has had the world’s longest hair on a teenager.
But just before her 18th birthday last July, Nilanshi decided to bid adieu to her ‘do.
Her hair was measured for the last time and reached an incredible 200cm (6ft 6.7 inches) – the longest hair ever on a teenager.
"I love my new hairstyle. I’m really, really happy… Today is a new beginning and I hope I will break many more records in future"
Longest eyelash
In May, You Jianxia’s (China) eyelashes were remeasured and the longest one was confirmed to have grown to a length of 20.5 cm (8.0 in).
You Jianxia first achieved this record in 2016. Her longest eyelash at the time was 12.4 cm (4.88 in).
"In my daily life, my eyelashes don't bring any concerns or difficulties. Just lots of joys. Only joys, no trouble."
"I would like to say to other people who have unique beauties - let us rejoice together and encourage happiness." – You Jianxia
Most flesh tunnels (face)
In July, James Goss (UK) broke the record for the most flesh tunnels (face), with 14.
James was inspired to stretch his many facial piercings into flesh tunnels when he realised he could beat the previous record of 11, held by Joel Miggler (Germany).
"The more I got into the culture of it the more modifications I wanted." James explained.
"I don’t really feel any different, I feel more like myself the further I progress into my modification journey, and that is my motivation at the end of the day."
Largest mouth gape (female)
Speaking of things that stretch, Sam Ramsdell (USA) was confirmed as having the world’s largest mouth gape (female), measuring 6.52 cm (2.5 in).
The only thing bigger than Sam’s mouth is her larger-than-life personality, so it’s no surprise that she has over 2.6 million followers on TikTok.
“Being 31 and being able to get a record for something that really I was so insecure about, something that I wanted to keep so small, it’s great because now it’s like one of the biggest, best things about me.”
“Getting a Guinness World Records title, it’s finally being almost able to show some of the bullies or people who doubted me, or tormented me, that hey – I have a big mouth but at least I have the biggest one in the world!”
Tallest woman living
October saw Rumeysa Gelgi (Turkey) named as the world’s tallest woman living, standing at a height of 215.16cm (7 ft 0.7 in).
Rumeysa was first awarded the record title of tallest teenager living (female) back in 2014, aged 18.
Her accelerated growth is caused by a rare condition known as Weaver syndrome.
"Every disadvantage can be turned into an advantage for yourself so accept yourself for who you are, be aware of your potential and do your best." – Rumeysa Gelgi
Shortest female living (non-mobile)
In the same month, 18-year-old Wildine Aumoithe (USA) officially became the world’s shortest non-mobile woman at a height of 72 cm (28.3 in).
Wildine is proud to be the first Haitian-American to hold a shortest person record and she hopes to inspire other little people.
"I want to show the world that even though I am short I am able to live my best life and I can conquer this world even though this world was not build for me." – Wildine Aumoithe
2022 is sure to be another amazing year for record breaking. Keep your eyes peeled for all the new additions to the Guinness World Records family!
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