News24 | World’s largest hairdryer, 13 000 frogs, and the most-tattooed man: Guinness has new records

Ruth Amos from the UK holds the record for the world’s largest working hairdryer, built from children’s designs.

Supplied/GWR2027

• Guinness World Records has launched its 2027 edition, packed with more than 3 000 verified achievements.
• From a 5-year-old certified yoga teacher in Texas to an Italian engineer who built the world’s narrowest driveable car at just 50cm wide.
• Mamelodi Sundowns feature in the Football Edition 2027, recognised for the highest margin of victory in a CAF Champions League match.

Guinness World Records unveiled its 2027 edition in London on Wednesday, packing more than 3 000 verified achievements into its signature compendium – with over 80% of the records updated for this year.

The latest instalment spans the weird, the wonderful and the downright improbable: a 5-year-old certified yoga teacher from Texas, an Italian engineer who built the world’s narrowest driveable car at just 50cm wide, and a Canadian powerlifter with Down syndrome who claimed two records.

Editor-in-chief Craig Glenday said the organisation’s records managers had sifted through tens of thousands of applications from aspiring record breakers to produce “a fully updated compendium of stats, facts, figures and photographs celebrating the most incredible achievements on Earth and beyond”.

“Last year, we set the world a challenge – ‘Be Part of It’ – and I’m pleased to say that the world responded,” said Glenday. “The book showcases remarkable stories of bravery, determination, passion and joy that should inspire us all to just get out there and have a go, whatever your age, ability, experience or background.”

Pan Macmillan, the South African distributor, has launched three editions locally: the main Guinness World Records 2027, the Gamer’s Edition 2027, and the Football Edition 2027.

Andrea Marazzi from Italy holds the record for the narrowest driveable car, at 50.20cm wide, built from a re-engineered Fiat Panda.

Supplied/GWR2027

Hugo is a four-year-old Shire horse from Northamptonshire, standing 199cm tall, making him the world’s tallest living horse.

Supplied/GWR2027

Remy Schofield from Canada is the most tattooed living person, with 40 layers of ink covering 90% of his body.

Supplied/GWR2027

The Football Edition – edited by Tom Beckerlegge and returning for a second year – features action from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a “Class of ’27” selection of football’s hottest young talent, including Olivia Smith, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal, and hundreds of new and updated records.

Among them: Mamelodi Sundowns’ record for the highest margin of victory in a CAF Champions League match.

Record-breaking superstars

The 2027 edition introduces eight new Young Achievers under 16, as well as the newly selected GWR Icons – record holders who embody the spirit of record-breaking and are rewriting the rulebook in their fields.

Here are some of the standout record holders:

• Phoenix Giselle Hicks (US): Youngest yoga instructor (female), at five years and 337 days old. She earned her title after completing a 200-hour yoga teacher training course.
• Andrea Marazzi (Italy): Narrowest driveable car, at 50.20cm wide. The 31-year-old vehicle recycling engineer completely re-engineered a classic Fiat Panda.
• Miranda Worby (UK): Largest collection of My Little Pony memorabilia, with 4 550 items. What started with a single pink figure named Snowflake at age three grew into a collection so large that she had to move house to display it properly.
• Susan Burgos (US): Largest collection of frog-related items, with 13 201 pieces amassed over decades to fulfil a lifelong dream.
• Ruth Amos (UK): World’s largest working hairdryer, built from children’s designs, measuring 1.7556m long by 1.6m tall.
• Emma Phillips: Spun a table 77 times with her feet in 30 seconds, a skill she describes as “extreme cardio”.
• Remy Schofield (Canada): Most-tattooed person living, with 40 layers of ink across 90% of his body.
• Hugo (UK): A four-year-old Shire horse from Northamptonshire, standing 199cm tall, making him the world’s tallest living horse. Owner Lisa Masters said: “He’s a big softie, like an oversized dog.”
• Fred Blijden (the Netherlands): Completed 22 standing backwards somersaults in 30 seconds.
• Christian Schäfer (Germany): Memorised 87 decimal digits underwater.

With over 150 million copies sold across more than 100 countries, the franchise continues to capture the global imagination. All three editions are available for purchase in stores and online.