Have you ever thought about breaking a world record?
Words by Marylene Vestergom
When it comes to the authority on record-breaking, look no further than the 2025 Guinness World Records (GWR25) edition. Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, says the 2025 edition celebrates 70 years of out-of-this-world talent. “Year after year, we review thousands of applications, uncovering unique, inspiring, and jaw-dropping stories from around the world. We are thrilled to continue celebrating these iconic accomplishments and know our readers will be blown away by the legendary feats in this year’s book.”
The new edition is updated with more than 1,000 images and doesn’t disappoint. You’ll even learn how both Taylor Swift and LeBron James have been anointed platinum-grade ICON status. The book is filled with thousands of awe-inspiring and mind-blowing achievements designed for the whole family to enjoy and may even tempt you to pursue something extraordinary.
Breaking a Guinness World Records title is one way to attain global recognition and personal satisfaction. The motivations vary widely; some seek to test their limits, others want to bring attention to a cause, and some may pursue it for the thrill of the challenge or to leave a mark in history.
Consider the latest roster of GWR Young Achievers, which includes a few from Canada, including Cydnee Abbott from Oakville, Ont. Best known for her appearance on Canada’s Got Talent in 2023, she captivated audiences at the age of 11, leaving them in awe of her flexibility. This past January, Abbott was invited to Italy to attempt to break the GWR for most full-body rotations while in a backbend position in one minute. It was a dizzying display. Abbott beat the previous record by nine revolutions, completing 28 full-body revolutions in one minute. Now, that’s what we’d call bending over backwards.
GWR is also about raising awareness for important issues, adding a layer of purpose beyond personal achievement. Jace Weber, from Mildmay, Ont., is on the autism spectrum and is another notable Young Achiever and GWR title holder. He’s known for collecting and recycling 6.2 million aluminum can tabs in 2023. For Weber, it was all about helping someone purchase a wheelchair. His charitable drive hasn’t stopped. He’s now working towards raising money to help fund an accessible playground for his school in Walkerton, Ont., recycling one aluminum can tab at a time—and who knows, maybe another GWR title.
Of course, the 2025 GWR edition is filled with zany and quirky records from around the world, and there are many categories to discover. That’s what makes this celebrated 70th-anniversary edition the perfect gift for the holidays. It’s sure to be a conversation starter, and who knows, maybe it will provide the launching pad for next year’s GWR Young Achiever.
Tempted?
“The advice I would give kids,” says Abbott, “is not to worry about comparing yourself to others. If you have a goal or a dream, work hard to achieve your personal best. I was so happy with my GWR experience because I trained as hard as I could, and then I went out and beat my personal best.”
So, what are you waiting for? Put the 2025 GWR edition on your reading list and become a part of this record-breaking community.
Visit: guinnessworldrecords.com
