Guinness World Records 2022: discover the superstars!

Have you ever wondered where the largest climate change protest took place?  Or what cool tricks cats and dogs can do? 

Or maybe you'd like to be a Changemaker with Earthwatch? 

If the answer is yes, and you're curious and ready to start a fun-packed journey, you're in the right place. 

Meet some of our record-breaking superstars. 

Let yourself be inspired by their amazing achievements: every single one of them is a real-life reminder that amazing things can bloom from focus, enthusiasm and fun.

Fastest 5m on a scooter by a dog and cat (pair)  

Meet Lollipop the dog and Sashimi the cat, two scooter enthusiasts from Canada.
Their favourite pastime? Scootering around the house together – a trick they came up with all by themselves, much to the surprise of their owner, Melissa Millett. 

With a record of 4.37 seconds, Lollipop and Sashimi confirmed their (unlikely!) partnership as more than a hobby: it’s a record-breaking sensation.  

Fastest 100m forward rolls and Most backwards somersault burpees in 30 seconds 

Like many others, 28-year-old gymnast Bethany Lodge (UK) struggled to keep her motivation during the pandemic. 

Her solution to win over the lockdown slumber? Setting herself an ambitious goal: breaking a record.  

In the end, she broke two: fastest 100m forward rolls (42.64 seconds) and most backwards somersault burpees 30 seconds (5). 

 “I’m honoured,” she said upon discovering that she would feature in the book. Her attempt inspired her friends and family to sign for records of their own, but it also reminded the world that exercising doesn’t have to be a chore. Find something you love, make it fun, and make it happen!  

Most skips over a person’s own hair in 30 seconds 

An artist who creates sculptures with her hair, model, actress, and record-breaker: the ever-versatile Laetitia Ky has done it all.  

The hairstyles Laetitia (who comes from Abidjan, Ivory Coast) creates can take from 20 minutes up to 3 hours to finish, and vary across a series of different styles, lengths and difficulties. They are all, however, inspired by the pre-colonial tradition of women in African culture. 

Combining her hair-sculpting abilities and athletic skills, and with the aid of extensions braided with her natural hair, 25-year-old Laetitia has skipped a rope made out of her own hair for 30 seconds.  

Fastest 20m walking on hands  

Zion Clark (Ohio, USA) was born with Caudal Regression Syndrome.  

Despite the difficulties of his condition and suffering an abandonment during his childhood, Clark’s positive mindset helped him persevere through life: he was first introduced to wrestling in elementary school and became a professional in high school. He features in Guinness World Records 2022 for the fastest 20m walking on hands – scoring a stunning time of 4.78 seconds.  

After pursuing his passion with strength and motivation, Zion is now aiming for the stars. 

His current goal is to become the first American athlete to compete in both the Olympic (wrestling) and Paralympic (wheelchair racing) games in 2024. 

Shortest competitive bodybuilder (male) 

Pratik Mohite started bodybuilding in 2012.
He got off on a rocky start after struggling to grip the equipment during workouts, and people around him often considered him weak. He fought to prove them wrong.  

Measuring 102 centimetres in height (3ft 4in), Pratik's is not a story of easy success – his is a narrative of commitment, of strength, and it’s even more inspiring.  

“Anyone can do anything” is the uplifting message behind his athletic preparation.  
Today, the 25-year-old bodybuilder from Maharashtra, India, broke the record for shortest competitive bodybuilder (male). 

Embark on an amazing adventure with these record-breaking heroes, and many others, discovering a wide new world well beyond the boundaries of your imagination – but accessible from the comfort of your home. 

Guinness World Records 2022 (GWR 2022) will be available starting 16 September 2021, hitting the shelves and the major online retailers worldwide. 

The pandemic never stopped our experts, who worked in safety to bring together an action-filled collection of amazing human beings, extraordinary animals, cutting-edge technology and natural wonders. 

From the universe and its secrets to pop culture, from architecture to extreme sports, and with a special focus on the environment, explore 10 facts-packed chapters: 

• Make a difference with the environmental champions: the eco-warriors fighting to secure a future for our planet. 
• Take a trip around the most amazing parks, cultural sites and museums with the Virtual Visits. 
• Hear the powerful voices of our Young Achievers: all under sixteen, these young editors, athletes, influencers and scientists are shaping the future. 
• Bring six record-breaking dinosaurs back to life thanks to the Augmented Reality.  
• Explore our Hall of Fame, updated with new record-breaking inductees including pop princes BTS and talented naturalist Dr Mya-Rose “Birdgirl” Craig.  
• From the most intelligent creatures to the deadliest plants, dive into the wonders of the natural world (all from the safety of your bedroom). 
• Rediscover your favourite fandoms in the section dedicated to pop culture icons, filled with curiosities about the most successful movie franchises, videogames and brands. Can you guess just how large is the largest Cars memorabilia collection?

The recent global challenges only increased and renewed our team’s ever-present commitment towards the planet we inhabit, shining a spotlight on the crusade against climate change.  

That’s why, this year, the team at Guinness World Records chose to focus on the environment.  

Renewable energies, avant-garde technologies and voices rising against environmental exploitation: it’s an everyday battle that involves everyone, and we want to be a part of it.  

For this reason, we took extra care to ensure an absolute respect of the environment, warranting that the paper and production processes are ethically sourced and eco-friendly.  

Want to know more?
Look out for Rod Hunt’s unmistakable cover, and learn everything about these (and many, many others) record-breaking stars in our brand new 2022 edition.