UAE | Heritage and Culture

Fujairah bags fourth world record with longest sword

14.94-metre blade stands at al saif roundabout

  • By Aghaddir Ali, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 December 26, 2011
  • Gulf News

The Al Saif Roundabout in Fujairah now hosts the longest sword in the world at 14.94 metres
  • Image Credit: Atiq-Ur-Rehman /Gulf News
  • The Al Saif Roundabout in Fujairah now hosts the longest sword in the world at 14.94 metres.

Fujairah: The emirate of roundabouts, Fujairah, has recently been bestowed a fourth Guinness World Record. It hosts the longest sword in the world.

This distinction has been made possible owing to the newly unveiled Al Saif Roundabout, at the heart of which stands the much-coveted 14.94-metre sword.

Although the sword was unveiled on December 2 to coincide with the UAE's 40th National Day celebrations, the award was announced on December 16 at the grand finale of the Al Saif (traditional sword) Championship for The Crown Prince Award held at the Fujairah Fort.

Guinness World Records manager and adjudicator Tarika Vara announced that Fujairah had clinched the Guinness World Record bid yet once again. She presented the new world record certificate to the Crown Prince of Fujairah, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, at the sword arena in Fujairah Fort.

The Al Saif championship is now in its second year. This time around, the sword dancing is taking place across six weeks at a larger arena and in tandem with several other cultural activities and displays at the Fujairah Heritage Village.

Inaugural edition

The awards ceremony attained two Guinness World Records in its inaugural edition in 2010. Fujairah had won world records for the largest youla (traditional Emirati dance) with 285 participants as well as the highest sword throw last year. It was Hazza Sulaiman Al Shehi, a swordsman from Dibba, Fujairah, who attained the second record when he threw his sword 21.275 metres up in the air.

According to Shaikh Mohammad, The Crown Prince Award was conceptualised with the vision and support of his father, His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah. Besides highlighting the culture and traditions in the UAE, this award ceremony also helps spread awareness about Fujairah's history and deep-rooted heritage among the younger generation, Shaikh Mohammad said.

During the unveiling of the sword on December 2, Shaikh Mohammad dedicated the iconic structure to the UAE leadership and its people on the occasion of the country's 40th anniversary.

Meanwhile, the Al Saif Roundabout has a fitting location since it stands across from the iconic Fujairah Fort, site of the Al Saif Championship.

Aiming high
  • 2009: Fujairah entered the Guinness World Record for forming the longest-ever UAE flag on 413 cars, to mark the UAE's 38th National Day anniversary.
  • 2010: Fujairah attained another world record for the largest ‘youla' (traditional Emirati dance) when 285 people danced on the stage for five minutes and five seconds.
  • The emirate clinched another world record for the highest throw of a sword when Hazza Sulaiman Al Shehi from Dibba threw his sword 21.275 metres up in the air.
  • 2011: Fujairah wins the record for hosting the longest sword in the world.

 

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