The 2023 edition of the annual Guinness World Record is out and as always, it is in demand, regardless of the fact that book reading seems to be on a decline these days.

Following the same pattern since 1955, there are quite a few surprises this time around. The latest 256-page edition goes into space, unlike the previous edition, which was more focused on environmental issues and recycling. According to the editor, the GWR processed nearly 39000 applications and approximately 5,000 titles managed it through.

The book is divided into nine chapters, which cover topics ranging from space, life, animals, entertainment and the modern world. It begins with records concerning space — the first privately-funded crewed spaceflight, the first private-citizen orbital mission, most people in space at the same time, the closest approach to the sun, the longest operating lunar rover as well as the farthest flight on Mars are there.

As for the oldest man in Space, there was legendary actor William Shatner, who was part of a sub-orbital space flight. The Star Trek legend famous for playing Capt. James T. Kirk was 90 years old at the time of the trip.

The other fascinating facts which will attract your attention are records regarding the human body — the heaviest weight lifted by the tongue, farthest eyeball pop, longest mouth gape, longest eyelash and longest ear hair among many others. Family records are followed by superlative skills, where Pakistan’s miniaturisation expert Ahsan Qayyum is mentioned. The young artist from Gujranwala created the smallest vacuum cleaner in the world which is 1.3 cm (0.51 inch) long.

The Guinness World Record has mentioned Pakistan at least four times more. Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest peak in the world, is growing 7mm every year. Shehroze Kashif, the youngest person to climb the two highest mountains — K2 and Mount Everest — at 19 years, gets a mention, as does the 70-year-old Naseemuddin who crushed 31 apples by hand in just one minute. However, Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been mentioned erroneously as a Pakistani bowler who took 41 wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup played in 2021.

As Muslims, one is proud to find a couple of mentions of the holy city of Mecca. The world’s largest clock face at 43 meters is in Mecca, while at 601 metres, it is also the tallest Clock Tower in the world. The deepest swimming pool opened in 2021 in Dubai with a depth of around 60 metres, while the longest zipline with a distance of 2831 metres can be found in neighbouring Ras Al Khaimah state.

Burj Khalifa is still the tallest building in the world, however, the Gevora Hotel in Dubai, which opened in 2018, is the tallest hotel now, with 75 floors and 528 rooms.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Jules Verne’s classic novel Around the World in 80 Days, a chapter is dedicated to the great writer, where a tour of 300 superlative cultural highlights, is awaiting the reader.

The ‘Extraordinary Exploits’ chapter is a fresh addition to the GWR, where we have quite a few young achievers; from the youngest chess Grandmaster, the tallest teenager, the youngest person to discover a comet, as well as the youngest collector who owns the largest collection of lip balms.

The year also marks 100 years of Disney, followed by Disney records. There is also a chapter about weird records where ‘weird animals’ and their records get full coverage.

The Modern World chapter mentions the ever-changing society. From cryptocurrency, fast food, and Tick Tock, this chapter is interesting.

The book has interesting facts regarding sports as well, and one hopes the upcoming year brings more records so that the next edition is meatier than this one.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 7th, 2023