The weekly weird

Published December 1, 2018

Famous YouTuber makes Guinness record

A popular Japanese YouTuber set a Guinness World Record by wrapping a volunteer in cling wrap in only one minute and 58 seconds.

Dekakin, a comedian and YouTuber known for food and arm wrestling related stunts, enlisted the help of Ichiho Shirahata, a member of the group “Gekijo-ban” Gokigen Teikoku singing group whose ballet experience came in handy during the attempt.

The pair practiced for hours to perfect their technique before the official attempt, which was timed to coincide with Guinness World Records Day.

Guinness stipulated Shirahata had to be covered from her feet to her shoulders in cling wrap without any gaps.

An adjudicator for the record-keeping organisation kept time and inspected Shirahata to make sure the attempt was an official record. Dekakin was awarded a certificate once the time was verified at one minute and 58 seconds.

Dekakin joked that he didn’t want the video of his attempt to go viral.

“If people don’t see my video, then surely people wouldn’t try and beat this record,” Dekakin said.


World’s tallest man in LA

Sultan Kosen, who holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest living male, attracted the attention of mobile phone-wielding tourists as he strolled through Los Angeles International Airport.

With one hand perched on an aide and the other brandishing a very long walking stick, the world’s tallest living man captured everyone’s attention when he was on the move. At one point waiting at a zebra crossing, a man tried to snap a selfie with the giant as a souvenir.

Kösen, a 35-year-old Turkish-Kurdish farmer, measures 251 centimetres or 8 ft 2.82 inches. His incredible height resulted from the condition Acromegaly, caused by a tumour affecting his pituitary gland. In 2012, Sultan was hopeful his fame would help him with his life.

At the time, Sultan boasted the globe’s biggest hands (10.8in) and largest feet (14.4in).

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 1st, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Pathways to peace
Updated 27 Apr, 2026

Pathways to peace

NEGOTIATIONS to hammer out the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement took nearly two years before a breakthrough was achieved....
Food-insecure nation
27 Apr, 2026

Food-insecure nation

A NEW UN-backed report has listed Pakistan among 10 countries where acute food insecurity is most concentrated. This...
Migration toll
27 Apr, 2026

Migration toll

THE world should not be deceived by a global migration count lower than the highest annual statistics on record —...
Immunity gap
Updated 26 Apr, 2026

Immunity gap

Pakistan’s Big Catch-Up campaign showed progress but also exposed the scale of gaps in routine immunisation.
Danger on repeat
26 Apr, 2026

Danger on repeat

DISASTERS have typically been framed as acts of nature. Of late, they look increasingly like tests of preparedness...
Loose lips
26 Apr, 2026

Loose lips

PAKISTANIS have by now gained something of an international reputation for their gallows humour, but it seems that...