YeinJee's Asian Journal » World Records

World’s shortest man dies

Yein Jee — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:42:35 +0000

The world’s shortest man, He Pingping, died at age 21 last Saturday in Rome. He was in the Italian capital to film for a TV programme when he was admitted to hospital two weeks ago for chest problems.

He was born in Wulanchabu, China, with a form of primordial dwarfism; he was officially recognised as the world’s shortest man (74.6cm) in 2008 [via BBC].

The man had lived a colourful life albeit a short one, travelling places and meeting all sorts of people. Unfortunately he couldn’t fulfil his dream of living-a-normal-life. Rest in peace.

The pic shows He Pingping and world’s tallest man Sultan Kösen (2.47m).

World’s shortest man dies from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Burj Khalifa facts and figures

Yein Jee — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:33:29 +0000

56 random facts and figures of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure…

Read the rest of this post »

Burj Khalifa facts and figures from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Burj Khalifa, world’s tallest building opens in Dubai

Yein Jee — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:56:22 +0000

Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower), the world’s tallest building, was officially opened on January 4 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates…

Formerly known as Burj Dubai, the skyscraper was renamed as Burj Khalifa after the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates.

Burj Khalifa is 828m in height with 160-floors; it surpasses Taipei 101 (509m) as the world’s tallest building and is also the tallest man made structure ever.

An outdoor observation deck (namely At The Top), located on its 123-124 floor, will be opened to the public later this month.

Check next post for Burj Khalifa’s facts and figures.

[video via Trackingdubai@Youtube]

Burj Khalifa, world’s tallest building opens in Dubai from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Indian man visits every countries in the world

Yein Jee — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:33:19 +0000

Indian businessman Kashi Samaddar, 52, became the first person to visit all sovereign countries (192 according to UN) in the world. He’s certified by Guinness World Records for completing the journey between July 2002 and May 2009.

The defining moment dates back to 2003 when he was denied a visa from South Africa because of his nationality. Feeling humiliated he made a promise to himself that he would travel to all the countries in the world as a mark of defiance.

He first completed his journey (took 12+ years) in May 2008 when he arrived in Serbia (pic). And I guess he revisited some of the countries again for the Guinness record 6+ years feat. The epic trip cost him about $700,000 USD.

[image via Worldrecordsacademy][via Neatorama]

Indian man visits every countries in the world from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Steven Purugganan, speed stacking champion

Yein Jee — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:16:48 +0000

Steven Purugganan is an 11-year-old Filipino-American who holds the world record for all five categories (three individuals, two teams) of sport stacking.

Below is a video of Purugganan breaking the then Cycle record during the 2008 World Championships in Denver, USA… [his latest world record is 5.93s]

[credits to raydavid1965@youtube for the upload]

Steven Purugganan, speed stacking champion from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Black Hornet – world’s smallest spy-copter

Yein Jee — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:35:44 +0000

Black Hornet is a video-camera equipped helicopter not more than 100mm long, weighing less than 20g, and can be carried in your pocket and launched within seconds to give immediate situational awareness…

Developed by Norway based Prox Dynamics, the spy-copter aims to become the world’s smallest and most capable Unmanned Aircraft System for close range surveillance and inspection.

And if the Black Hornet fails to live up to its expectation, the company can choose to reinvent the copter into an expensive toy instead… bet that it’s going to become a global hit.

Black Hornet – world’s smallest spy-copter from YeinJee's Asian Blog

World’s fastest drinker?

Yein Jee — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:51:34 +0000

Probably not an official record, but it’s amazing how fast the Japanese dude was at gulping down the bottle of isotonic drink. Video from “Food Battle Club”, a Japanese competitive eating show… [via karan90@youtube]

World’s fastest drinker? from YeinJee's Asian Blog

World’s largest model train set at Miniatur Wunderland

Yein Jee — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:41:23 +0000

The world’s largest model railway and train set, located in the Miniatur Wunderland, a private museum in Hamburg, Germany…

World’s largest model train set at Miniatur Wunderland from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Tata Nano, world’s cheapest car goes on sale

Yein Jee — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:02:59 +0000

India’s Tata Motors announced on Monday (Mar 23) the commercial launch of Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car at 100,000 rupees (USD1,990) apiece.

Nano created huge buzz worldwide when it was unveiled in January 2008; the car is in hot demand in India where it’ll hit the roads in July 2009.

The demand for the car is so high that the company has to make a lucky draw to decide their first 100,000 customers for the first phase of deliveries. A dedicated assembly plant will be ready in 2010 with an annualised capacity of 350,000 cars.

There are reasons why Tata Nano is so cheap; but as it’s often stressed, the Nano’s main aim is to provide safe, affordable, four-wheel transportation to families… and we can’t argue that a car would be much safer than a bike.

Some environmentalists are not that fond of the car, as more cars = more pollution. Tata has responded to the issue that an electric version of Nano is in mind, which has sprung wide interest in western countries.

Btw, the car might lack certain comfortability features, but it’s not lacking in design… that’s one cute car that I don’t mind owning based on appearance alone.

Tata Nano, world’s cheapest car goes on sale from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Dell launches Adamo, world’s thinnest laptop

Yein Jee — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:10:56 +0000

Dell has officially launched the Adamo, an ultra-thin (and expensive) laptop which the company claims to be the thinnest in the world.

With a general thickness of 0.65 inches (1.65 cm), the Adamo is thinner (depending on interpretation) than Apple’s MacBook Air which has a thickness of 0.16 to 0.76 inches.

The market is giving a mix review for the product, but most are wondering if the high-end laptop (USD1999+) could sell well during recession.

Dell launches Adamo, world’s thinnest laptop from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Kim Yuna sets figure skating world record

Yein Jee — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:01:14 +0000

Korean figure skating star Kim Yuna has set a new world record for the ladies’ short program en-route to winning the women’s single title at the 08/09 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships (4CC) in Vancouver, Canada…

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Kim Yuna sets figure skating world record from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Giant truffle sold for USD200k

Yein Jee — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:54:09 +0000

The largest truffle found in Italy this year was sold for USD200,000 at a charity auction that was held simultaneously in Abu Dhabi, Macau, London and Rome on November 29.

Stanley Ho and his winning piece
(Image via Xinhuanet)

Macau casino mogul Stanley Ho was the highest bidder for the 1.08-kg white truffle. The tycoon was also the highest bidder for last year’s largest truffle, a 1.5-kg piece that fetched a record $330,000.

Truffle is a precious ingredient in Italian and French gourmet for its pungent aroma and taste. White truffle is considered the best truffle; a kilogram of normal size white truffle could cost over $5000.

A total of $284k were raised from this auction event, with a few smaller truffle being sold as well. The money will be donated to selected charities in the cities that held the synchronised auction.

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Giant truffle sold for USD200k from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Domino Day 2008

Yein Jee — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:31:17 +0000

Domino Day is an annual event organised each year by Dutch TV production company Endemol with one goal in mind… to break the world record for the highest number of toppling domino stones.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Domino Day 2008 was held successfully on November 14 with a new world record of 4,345,027 dominoes being toppled…

Domino Day 2008 from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Taichung attempt for saxophone record

Yein Jee — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:12:55 +0000

A total of 918 saxophone players performed simultaneously at the Taichung City Plaza in the city of Taichung, Taiwan, on October 18 in a bid to break the world record for the largest saxophone ensemble.

The attempt was held in conjunction with the 6th annual Taichung Jazz Festival. The oldest saxophonists involved was 72 of age, while the youngest just three; Taichung deputy mayor Hsiao Jia Qi also took part in the event.

918 saxophonists in their new world record attempt (Image from Udn)

The current world record for the largest saxophone ensemble was set by Toronto in 2004 with 900 players.

Taichung attempt for saxophone record from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Capital city with the longest name

Yein Jee — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:11:54 +0000

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit

The above phrase is the full name of Krung Thep, Thai’s capital city which is more commonly known as Bangkok among foreigners. For this, Bangkok is recognised by Guinness World of Records as the capital city with the longest name.

The translation… “The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam.” [via Wikipedia]

It took about 12 seconds to pronounce the name (as per this video)… amazed?

Capital city with the longest name from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Kiwi skateboards 12,159km from Europe to China

Yein Jee — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:45:49 +0000

New Zealander Robert Thompson set out from Leysin, Switzerland on June 24, 2007 and embarked on a 12,159km journey of solo and unsupported trek by skateboard through Europe, USA, and across China.

His journey was completed in Shanghai on September 28, 2008 [via Shanghaiist]

Rob has unofficially broken the Guinness World Record for the ‘longest journey by skateboard’ currently hold by by Dave Cornthwaite with a distance of 5,823km. Rob’s attempt has been submitted to Guinness and is currently under evaluation.

Video below is a summary of his final 1,200km journey from Xixia to Shanghai; which kinda reminds me of Chinese movie “Getting Home”…

Kiwi skateboards 12,159km from Europe to China from YeinJee's Asian Blog

World’s oldest man celebrates 113th birthday

Yein Jee — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 04:03:07 +0000

Tomoji Tanabe, the world’s oldest man, celebrates his 113th birthday yesterday (Sept 19) at his home in Miyakonojō, about 900 km southwest of Tokyo, Japan.

Tanabe congratulated by local mayor on his 113th birthday (Image from BBC)

Tanabe attributes his longevity to a healthy lifestyle. He doesn’t smoke; he drinks a cup of milk everyday, eats lots of vegetables and avoid fatty food. Tanabe also read often and writes a diary.

Happy Birthday!

World’s oldest man celebrates 113th birthday from YeinJee's Asian Blog

How long can a person live without food?

Yein Jee — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:31:20 +0000

Back in my school days I was taught that a person could live for 3-4 weeks without food but with water; the teaching is still applicable… but there are other factors that dictates the surviving period.

Mental strength, health condition, body weight, climates and some other factors play their part in determining the survival length; under optimal circumstances a person could live without food for 6-8 weeks or even longer in extreme cases.

I am not sure if there’s any official record for the longest survival without food; the longest record that I managed to find is 73 days during the 1981 Irish hunger strike. A total of 10 prisoners had died after 46 to 73 days of starvation in the strike.

Laurence McKeown survived the strike for 70 days, which could be the record for the longest period for a person to live without food and still surviving.

How long can a person live without food? from YeinJee's Asian Blog

Sushi, chillies, bulls, penguin, turtle

Yein Jee — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:02:56 +0000

A sushi wedding cake, some hot chillies, a few bulls running, a knighted penguin and a crime fighting turtle…

Sushi wedding cake

Sushi wedding cake… (Image from Christina, via Xoryst)

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Sushi, chillies, bulls, penguin, turtle from YeinJee's Asian Blog

World record for simultaneous foot massage

Yein Jee — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:17:01 +0000

2016 participants (1008 reflexologists and 1008 tourists) have set a new Guinness World Record in Taiwan on July 1 for having “most people receiving foot massage (reflexology) simultaneously.”

Tourists who volunteered for the event came from various countries, including Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong etc.

The world record attempt at Taipei Arena, Taiwan (Image from Huaxia)

The attempt was organised by Taiwan Tourism Bureau to promote health tourism Reflexology is a popular practice in Taiwan for relaxation and improving general health; the activity is gaining popularity among foreign tourists in recent years.

There were no previous attempts made on this category; Guinness have set the requirement to have at least 400 participants with treatment for at least five minutes on each foot… which were met by the folks without much sweat.

World record for simultaneous foot massage from YeinJee's Asian Blog