From the world’s tallest building to the longest zip line — it’s only fair to say that everything keeps getting bigger and better in the UAE.
This week alone saw the country record yet another milestone in the construction of what will soon become the next tallest building in the world, as the Dubai Creek Tower saw builders complete the concrete placement for the pile cap using material that was equivalent to the weight of the CN Tower in Canada.
Surpassing every year with stupendous achievements, the UAE holds over 200 records and tops the rank of the most title holders in the Middle East.
The Guinness World Records established its first office in Dubai in 2013. “Beginning of 2000, we started to see a huge interest in breaking records in the region, specifically in the UAE, as well — being the heart of record breaking in the region,” said Talal Omar, Guinness World Record country manager, during a telephonic interview with Gulf News tabloid!
Looking back to 1979, the UAE sent its first ever record for the Guinness World Records from Dubai with the ‘Tallest stained glass window’ for the now demolished Ramada Hotel in Bur Dubai. Ever since, the country has been on a world-record-breaking spree.
In the past three years, from 2015-2018, there has been a significant increase in the number of applications by 68 per cent across various categories. With the growing interest among people in the Middle East, the Guinness World Records recently launched the Arabic website for the brand, which aims to communicate and guide the participants in the local language for countries in the Middle East.
Sixty years later, the institution has been the global authority on bestowing records. Beyond publishing the Guinness World Records Book, it’s made its mark on various social media platforms with 14.3 million Facebook followers, 208,000 followers on Twitter and over 2.5 million YouTube subscribers (at time of writing).
Along with the changing times, records evolve with people. With over 40,000 applications from different categories — automobiles, engineering and human body to name a few — these records have advanced and grown since the 1960s.
“Human beings were always creative… People are passionate about what interests them. People challenge new things, in the lookout for new ideas,” said Omar.
According to statistics, there are more than 50,000 records in the GWR database, of which only 6,000 get approved annually.
The brand has not only introduced us to heroes, but also changed the lives of many. Sultan Kosen’s life took a whole new turn when he was recorded as the tallest man in the world. The 8-foot-3-inch Turkish farmer has travelled around the world and also been filmed by the National Geographical Channel. The Turkish government modified his home to account for his size.
A free life-saving surgery from the University of West Virginia to a tailor-made pair of jeans from New York — Kosen’s story has spread positivity and normalised the concept of being a tall individual.
With over 1000 applications being reviewed by the record management team (or the ‘heart of records’, as termed by Omar), the GWR aim to inspire people. Be it an individual of any age of a family from any part of the world — if you have a dream or are the best at something, Guinness World Records encourages you to set new records.
“We don’t recognise or define success in the conventional way, but we think that every record — no matter how different it is — is unique, and it shows the different skills.”
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Here’s how you can apply for the Guinness World Records:
1. Visit the official website on guinnessworldrecords.com and register your record. Your record may be new or breakable to an existing record as mentioned in the guidelines of your category.
2. For anybody proposing a record, they must follow the four necessary criteria’s:
• Measurable — The records must be measured in units such as be in length, height, weight or speed.
• Breakable — Either set a new record or break an existing record. Record titles must be open to being challenged.
• Verifiable — Gather your evidence to prove your record claim.
• The best in the world — The record must be for the entire world. If it’s a new record, then Guinness World Records will set a challenging minimum requirement for you to beat.
3. Register your proposal with the standard application for free which replies to you within 4-6 weeks. If you want to get a faster answer, then apply through priority application, which would respond between 3-5 days.
4. If you successfully set a new record you are entitled to an official Guinness World Records certificate.
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NOTABLE RECORDS HELD BY THE UAE
• Largest aerial projection screen
The largest aerial projection screen measures 2,145.50 m² and was achieved by Remarkable Media (USA) and Wasl Asset Management Group in Dubai, on March 12, 2018. The attempt happened for the year of Zayed.
• Longest zip line
The longest zip line is Jebel Jais Flight, measuring a single unbroken span of 2,831.88m (9,290ft 11 in), achieved by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Toro Verde, located at Jebel Jais, in Ras Al Khaimah and was opened on January 31, 2018. Thrill-seekers will travel at speeds of up to 120km/hour to 150km/hour at a height of 1,680m above sea level on top of Jebel Jais.
• Tallest topiary sculpture (supported)
The tallest topiary structure (supported) measures 18.06m and was achieved by Dubai Miracle Garden, in Dubai, on February 25, 2018. The sculpture features almost 100,000 plants and flowers (including White Petunia, Red Petunia, White Geranium, Yellow Viola, Zinnia Marigold and Green Alternanthera), and weighs almost 35 tons.
• Largest notebook mosaic (logo)
The largest notebook mosaic (logo) measures 702.82 m² and was achieved by Abu Dhabi University & Knowledge Group, in Abu Dhabi, on March 21, 2018. The attempt happened in celebration of the year of Zayed.
• Largest distribution of saplings
The largest distribution of saplings consists of 2,083 saplings, and was achieved by Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar (UAE), in Dubai, on March 18, 2018. The sapling distribution happened in celebration of the year of Zayed.
• Highest resolution video wall
The highest resolution video wall has a resolution of 1,700,352,000 pixels and was built by LG Electronics (UAE), at Dubai Mall, on August 2, 2017
• Largest stencil
The largest stencil measures 11.13 square metres achieved by Iconix, ProWalls and UAE Graffiti Team, during Middle East Film & Comic Con, in Dubai, on April 8, 2017
• Largest underwater photography exhibition
The largest underwater photography exhibition consisted of 100 photographs and was achieved by Hamdan Bin Mohammad Heritage Center (UAE), in Dubai, on February 1, 2014.
• Tallest hotel
The tallest hotel is the Gevora Hotel (UAE), measuring 356.33m (1,169ft) tall from ground level to the top, and was inaugurated in Dubai, on February 9, 2018
• Largest book
The largest book measures 5m x 8.06m, weighs approximately 1,500kg and consists of 429 pages. The book was unveiled by Mshahed International Group, in Dubai, on February 27, 2012.
• Fastest mobile
The fastest mobile bed reaches a maximum speed of 135km/h and was created by Hotels.com, driven by Tom Onslow-Cole (UK), at Emirates Motor Sports Complex, in Umm Al Quwain, on December 13, 2016.
• Largest human flag wave
The largest human image of a waving national flag consists of 4,130 people, and was achieved by GEMS Education (UAE) in Abu Dhabi, on November 28, 2017.
• Largest Jiu-jitsu lesson
The largest Jujutsu (Jiu-jitsu) lesson involves 2,481 participants and was achieved in an event organised by UAE JJF, ADEC, and Palms Sports, at ADNEC, in Abu Dhabi, on November 25, 2015.
• Largest mango sticky rice
Largest serving of mango sticky rice (Khao Neeo Mamuang) measures 2831.00kg was achieved by Anantara Dubai Culinary Team in Dubai, on October 21, 2016
• Largest lantern
The largest standing lantern measures 13.09m high and 5m wide and was achieved in an event organised by Sharjah Asset Management at Souq Al Jubail, in Sharjah, on July 3, 2016.
