Sword Swallowing World Records

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Category Record Performer Notes
Official Guinness World Record
Most Swords Swallowed Simultaneously
52 Swords 9 Sword Swallowers On Friday, September 2, 2005 9 Sword Swallowers swallowed a total of 52 swords at the same time at the 2005 Sword Swallowers Convention at the Sideshow Gathering in Wilkes-Barre, PA to break the 2002 record of simultaneously swallowing 50 swords at once. (video) The SSAI members who broke this record were Red Stuart (25 swords), Natasha Veruschka (11 swords), Dan Meyer (7 swords), Keith Nelson (3 swords), Travis Fessler (2 swords), Matt Cassiere (1 sword), Charles Knight (1 sword), Roderick Russell (1 sword), and John Metz (1 sword). The number of swords and sword swallowers was audited by Certified Public Accountant Al D'Mario, witnessed and verified by veteran sideshow owners and former sword swallowers Chris Christ and Slim Price, confirmed by renowned sideshow historian James Taylor, certified an official SSAI World Record by SSAI President Dan Meyer, and certified an official Guinness World Record by *Guinness World Records in 2007. (video)
Official Guinness World Record
Most Sword Swallowers Swallowing Swords Simultaneously
19 Sword Swallowers 19 Sword Swallowers History was made on Friday, Aug 30, 2002 when 19 Sword Swallowers swallowed swords simultaneously at the 2002 Sword Swallowers Convention in Wilkes-Barre, PA. This record was certified as an official *Guinness World Record in 2004.
Official Guinness World Record
Most Swords Swallowed Simultaneously
50 Swords 19 Sword Swallowers History was made on Friday, Aug 30, 2002 when 19 Sword Swallowers swallowed 50 swords at the same time (breaking the previous record of 46 swords) at the 2002 Sword Swallowers Convention in Wilkes-Barre, PA. This record was certified as an official *Guinness World Record in 2004.
Unofficial
Multiple Swords
Men
52 swords
50 swords
34 swords
25 swords
18 swords
17 swords
16 swords
16 swords
14 swords
14 swords
8 swords
Red Stuart
Red Stuart
Red Stuart
Red Stuart
Chayne Hultgren
Chayne Hultgren
Lucky Ball
Johnny Fox
Matthew Henshaw
Dai Andrews
Dan Meyer
On September 3, 2005 at the 2005 SSAI Convention in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Red Stuart swallowed 25 swords at once with blades measuring at least 18" long x 1/2" in width (now certified an official Guinness World Record).
On Saturday, April 19, 2008, Red Stuart broke his own record by swallowing 34 swords with blades measuring at least 18" long x 1/2" wide at the 2008 Philadelphia Tattoo Convention in the Sheraton Hotel, Philadelphia, PA. (video)
On February 28, 2009, on "International Sword Swallower's Awareness Day 2009", Red Stuart broke his previous records by swallowing a total of 50 swords at once with blades measuring 18" long by 1/2" wide at Ripley's Believe It or Not in Atlantic City, NJ.
In September 2009, Red Stuart broke his own record by swallowing 52 swords at once before the media while performing with Ward Halls "Worlds of Wonders Sideshow" at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, MN, USA.
Chayne Hultgren, the Space Cowboy swallowed 17 swords at Calder Park in Melbourne, Australia on March 28, 2008
On February 7, 2010, Hultgren broke his own personal record and set a new Australian record by swallowing 18 72 cm (28 inch) swords at once in Sydney, Australia. (video)
Lucky Ball set his record of swallowing 16 swords at once in 1937
Johnny Fox swallowed 16 swords on the Jonathan Winters' Comedy Magic Special in the 1980s
Matty Blade Henshaw swallowed 14 60 cm. swords regularly from April 5, 2000 to June 2004
Dai Andrews swallows 14 swords at the same time regularly in his show.
Dan Meyer regularly swallows 7 and 8 swords at once in his shows.
Unofficial
Multiple Swords
Women
24 swords
20 swords
16 swords
Edith Clifford
"Champion Sword Swallower" Edith Clifford swallowed 16, 20 and 24 swords at once at the turn of the century between 1899-1905, and until she stopped sword swallowing around 1912.
Unofficial
Longest Multiple Swords
4  27" swords
5  30" swords
Alex Lang
Capt. Don Leslie
Alex Lang held the * Guinness World Record for swallowing four 27-inch long swords at one time in the 1960s.
Capt. Don Leslie swallowed his record five 30-inch long swords (1979-83). (description)
Official *Guinness
World Record
Multiple Swords
18 swords
17 swords
14 swords
13 swords
13 swords
10 swords
6 swords
5 swords
4 swords
Chayne Hultgren Space Cowboy
Chayne Hultgren Space Cowboy
Matthew Henshaw
Natasha Veruschka
Count Desmond
Brad Byers
Amy Saunders
Lady Sandra Reed
Alex Lang
Chayne Hultgren, the Space Cowboy of Australia holds the official men's * Guinness World Record for swallowing 17 swords at once at Calder Park in Melbourne, Australia on March 28, 2008, which he broke by swallowing 18 swords at once on February 7, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.
Matty Blade ("Saint" Matthew Henshaw) of Australia held the men's * Guinness World Record for swallowing 14 60 cm. swords 2.6 mm thick weighing 4.5 kg at the Fremantle Busker's Festival on April 5-6, 2000
Natasha Veruschka currently holds the official women's * Guinness World Record for swallowing 13 swords at once at the 3rd Annual Sword Swallowers Convention in Wilkes-Barre, PA on Sept 3, 2004
Count Desmond held the official * Guinness World Record in 1981 for swallowing 13 swords at once on July 6th, 1980
Brad Byers held the official * Guinness World Record in 2000 for swallowing 10 28" swords and turning them 180 degress on August 13, 1999 in Hollywood, CA (video)
Amy Saunders held the women's * Guinness World Record for swallowing 5 blades at one time in London in 1999. Amy later broke her own Guinness record by swallowing 6 swords on the set of El Show de los Récords, Madrid, Spain on 27 November 2001, and again by swallowing 7 swords on September 11, 2004. (video)
Lady Sandra Reed held the * Guinness World Record in 1975-1977 for swallowing 5 blades at a time.
Alex Lang held the * Guinness World Record for swallowing four 27-inch long swords at one time in the 1960s.
Official *Guinness
World Record
Multiple Swords
Women
13 swords
6 swords
5 swords
Natasha Veruschka
Amy Saunders
Lady Sandra
Natasha Veruschka currently holds the official women's * Guinness World Record for swallowing 13 swords at once at the 3rd Annual Sword Swallowers Convention in Wilkes-Barre, PA on Sept 3, 2004
Amy Saunders held the * Guinness World Record for a woman by swallowing 5 swords in London on April 28, 1999. According to Guinness, the official Guinness record for the most 35.5-53 cm (14-21 in) swords swallowed by a female was 6 by Amy Saunders on the set of El Show de los Récords, Madrid, Spain on 27 November 2001.
Lady Sandra Reed held the * Guinness World Record in 1975-1977 for swallowing 5 blades at a time.
Personal Records
Multiple Swords
50 swords
34 swords
25 swords
17 swords
16 swords
14 swords
14 swords
13 swords
13 swords
11 swords
10 swords
8 swords
7 swords
Red Stuart
Red Stuart
Red Stuart
Chayne Hultgren
Johnny Fox
Matthew Henshaw
Dai Andrews
Count Desmond
Natasha Veruschka
John Strong
Brad Byers
Dan Meyer
Amy Saunders
On September 3, 2005 at the 2005 SSAI Convention in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Red Stuart swallowed 25 swords at once with blades measuring at least 18" long x 1/2" in width (now certified an official Guinness World Record).
On Saturday, April 19, 2008, Red Stuart broke his own record by swallowing 34 swords with blades measuring at least 18" long x 1/2" in width at the 2008 Philadelphia Tattoo Convention in the Sheraton Hotel, Philadelphia, PA.
On February 28, 2009, in honor of "International Sword Swallower's Awareness Day 2009", Red Stuart broke his previous records by swallowing a total of 50 swords at once with blades measuring 18" long by 1/2" wide at Ripley's Believe It or Not in Atlantic City.
Chayne Hultgren, the Space Cowboy swallowed 17 swords at Calder Park in Melbourne, Australia on March 28, 2008
Johnny Fox swallowed 16 swords on the Jonathan Winters' Comedy Magic Special in the 1980s
Matty Blade Henshaw swallowed 14 60 cm. swords regularly from April 5, 2000 to June 2004
Dai Andrews swallows 14 swords at the same time
Count Desmond swallowed 13 swords at once on July 6, 1980 for the 1981 Guinness World Record
Natasha Veruschka swallowed 12 swords at the 2003 SSAI Convention and 13 swords at the 2004 SSAI Convention
Natasha Veruschka and Dai Andrews each swallowed 11 swords at the 2002 SSAI Convention
John Strong swallowed 11 swords at once
Brad Byers swallows 10 swords regularly in his act
Dan Meyer swallowed 7 swords at once on September 3, 2005 at the 2005 SSAI Convention, and 8 swords at once on January 1, 2006
Amy Saunders swallowed 5 swords in London in 1999. According to Guinness, the most 35.5-53 cm (14-21 in) swords swallowed by a female was 6 by Amy Saunders on the set of El Show de los Récords, Madrid, Spain on 27 November 2001, and 7 swords on September 11, 2004.
Official *Guinness
World Record
Multiple Individual Swords
with a Twist
10 swords Brad Byers Brad Byers holds the official * Guinness World Record for swallowing 10 swords after inserting them individually one at a time, and then twisting the 10 swords 180 degrees in his throat before removing them. He received the Guinness World Record in 2000 for swallowing 10 28" swords and turning them 180 degress on August 13, 1999 in Hollywood, CA (video)
Most Swords
Swallowed
In A Year
3782 Swords
270 shows
Matty Blade Henshaw In 2003, Matty Blade Henshaw swallowed 14 swords in 270 shows within 365 days for a total of 3782 swords swallowed in one year.
Official *Guinness
World Record
Most Sword Swallowers
Swallowing the Same Object Simultaneously
4 Sword Swallowers Thomas Blackthorne (UK)
Space Cowboy (Australia)
Captain Frodo (Norway)
Gordo Gamsby (Australia)
The official Guinness World record for the Most Sword Swallowers Swallowing the Same Object Simultaneously is four and was set when performers Thomas Blackthorne (UK), Space Cowboy (Australia), Captain Frodo (Norway) and Gordo Gamsby (Australia) swallowed the four steel legs of the same bar stool. The record was established in front of a live audience during a show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, UK, on 21 August 2007.
Official *Guinness World Record
Single Sword
Swallowed by the Most Sword Swallowers
33 Sword Swallowers Thomas Blackthorne (Italy)
Dai Andrews (US)
Dan Meyer (US)
Roderick Russell (US)
Damien Blade (US)
Johnny Fox (US)
Ses Carny (US)
Frack (US)
Malakai (US)
George the Giant (US)
Peter Pokus (Iceland)
Red Stuart (US)
Lizard Man (US)
Bill Berry (US)
Mr. Pennygaff (US)
The Great Fredini (US)
Jewels (Russia/Germany)
Natasha Veruschka (US)
Todd Robbins (US)
Tim Cridland (US)
Tyler Fyre (US)
Miss Behave (UK)
Wasp Boy (UK)
Lucky Diamond Rich (UK)
Claudio Borghi (Italy)
Rupert
David Straitjacket (UK)
Space Cowboy (Australia)
Elena Sellentin (Germany)
Marco Cardona (Italy)
Helmut Hannibal Helmurto (Germany)
Captain Frodo (Norway)
Gordo Gamsby (Australia)
The sword known as "The Sword of Swords" has been swallowed by 33 of the world's known sword swallowers. The sword was made by Thomas Blackthorne (UK/IT) in 1994 as a symbolic icon to link the otherwise solitary and disparate sword-swallower community. The "Sword of Swords" was swallowed at the first SSAI international Sword Swallowers Convention in 2002 by Thomas Blackthorne, Dai Andrews, Roderick Russell, Dan Meyer, Damien Blade, Johnny Fox, Ses Carny, Frack, Malakai, George the Giant, Peter Pokus, Red Stewart, Lizard Man, Bill Berry, Mr. Pennygaff, The Great Fredini, Jewels, Natasha Veruschka, Todd Robbins, Tim Cridland, Tyler Fyre Also in 2002: Miss Behave, Wasp Boy. On 9/2/2003, the day he became the world's most tattooed man: Lucky Diamond Rich. Also in 2003: Claudio Borghi. In 2004: Rupert. In 2005: David Straitjacket. In 2006: Space Cowboy, Elena Sellentin, Marco Cardona, Helmut Hannibal Helmurto. In 2007: Captain Frodo, Gordo Gamsby.
Oldest Sword Swallowers Age   Year
79   195?
77   1956
73   1948
72   1955
71   1955
71   1957
69   195?
68   1957
66   1963
65   1961
60   1971
58   1975
58   1966
56   1966
54   1975
54   1977
53   2002
52   1962
52   1997
52   1982
Name   (Country)
John Blixt (Sweden)
Lyle Tuttle (US)
Jim Lucky Ball (US)
Johnny Meah (US)
Timo Tuomivaara (Finland)
Stan Marye (US)
Red Trower (US)
Count Desmond (US)
Danny Larson (Canada)
Tom Orchante (NZ)
Hans Rosling (Sweden)
Dale Pritchard (US)
Red Stuart (US)
Rick Dennis (US)
Doc Swan (US)
Johnny Fox (US)
Mike Harrison (US)
Mike Burford (US)
Dan Meyer (US)
Ricky Hargrove (US)
Top 20 oldest living sword swallowers by age, year started sword swallowing, and country.
Unconfirmed
Longest Sword
Finland
63 cm
25 inches
Yrjö Lehvonen Yrjö Lehvonen was the best-known sword swallower in Finland, performing from around 1950 into the 1960's. In 1964 Lehvonen swallowed a 63 centimeter long sword to the hilt, which according to Kotiposti magazine was a world record at the time for Finland.
Unconfirmed
Longest Sword
Australia
72 cm
28.4 inches
Space Cowboy Due to an internal deformation medically known as congenital division of the stomach, the lower half of Chayne's stomach has been replicated and sits lower than the average human stomach, allowing Chayne to swallow longer swords.
Unconfirmed
Longest Sword
USA
33 inches
83.82 cm
George The Giant At 7' 4" tall, George the Giant has an advantage at length and holds the record for swallowing a 33" sword.
Official *Guinness World Record
Heaviest Weighted Sword Swallow
22.4 kg
20.1 kg
Chayne Hultgren
Matty Blade Henshaw
Chayne Hultgren, the Space Cowboy now holds the official * Guinness World Record for the heaviest weighted sword swallow weighing 22.4 kilograms at Calder Park in Melbourne, Australia on March 28, 2008
Matty Blade Henshaw is listed in the 2007 * Guinness World Record Book for swallowing a sword with the heaviest weight of 20.1 kilograms (44 lb 4.96 oz) attached to the hilt for five seconds.
Official *Guinness World Record
Heaviest Object
38kg
(83 lb 12 oz)
Dewalt D25980 Demolition Jackhammer
Thomas Blackthorne
The heaviest object sword-swallowed is a Dewalt D25980 demolition hammer weighing 38kg (83lb 12 oz).Thomas Blackthorne (Italy) swallowed the 25mm (1 inch) thick drill bit, then held the full weight of the hammer and bit for over 3 seconds, on the set of "Guinness World Records - Die Größten Weltrekorde", in Cologne, Germany, on 23 November 2007. The hammer was switched on.
Official *Guinness World Record
Heaviest Vehicle Pulled
By a Sword Swallower
3740 lbs
(1696.44 kg)
2002 Audi Quattro
pulled by
Ryan Stock
Ryan Stock pulled 3740 lbs (1696.44 kgs) when he pulled a 2002 Audi Quattro 23.9318 feet (6.38 meters) in 20.53 seconds, an impressive feat considering he accomplished this feat with a solid steel sword down his throat! With two chains attached between the vehicle's chassis and the sword's hilt, Ryan swallowed the 43.18 cm/2cm blade down his throat and then pulled the car. He set a new world record for "Heavist Vehicle Pulled by a Sword Swallower" as of November 26, 2008, on the Guinness World Records website.
Curved Sword 90 degrees Dai Andrews
Brad Byers
Thomas Blackthorne
Dan Meyer
Fewer than 5 performers are currently swallowing swords with any curve at all, and include Brad Byers, Dai Andrews, Thomas Blackthorne, and Dan Meyer (video)
Curved Sword 120 degrees Dai Andrews Dai Andrews set a new world record for the "Largest curve in a sword swallowed" by swallowing a sword that was curved 120 degrees from point to hilt on September 12, 2009 at Pimlico Race course in Baltimore, MD. The angle of the sword was measured manually by protractor and digitally by Auto-CAD. (video)
Unofficial Record Flaming Blade Dan Meyer Even though others have swallowed swords with hilts on fire, Dan Meyer was the first to swallow a flaming sword on national TV on with the entire blade on fire on the Las Vegas semi-finals of America's Got Talent at Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 13, 2008.
Unofficial
Red-Hot Sword
Red-Hot Sword Dan Meyer
In Septemeber 2008 and April-December 2009, Dan Meyer swallowed a 37.5 inch red-hot sword heated to over 1500 degrees Fahrenheit (817 degrees Celsius) privately, and later publicly on February 1, 2010 for medical professionals and other witnesses on a documentary film shoot for "The History Channel" in Hartselle, AL. (video)
Unconfirmed
Youngest
Swordswallower
USA
12 years old
13 years old
16 years old
Jim Lucky Ball II
Rick Dennis
The Enigma
Jim Lucky Ball II was taught sword swallowing in 1948 at the age of 12 by his mother, Estelline Pike.
Rick Dennis learned sword swallowing in 1966 at the age of 13.
The Enigma learned sword swallowing at the age of 16.
Confirmed
Youngest
Swordswallower
USA
14 years old
17 years old
18 years old
Alex Zander Morrow
Erik Kloeker
Brett Loudermilk
Alex Zander Morrow swallowed his first sword at the age of 14 before an audience of other sword swallowers and international media at the 2003 Sword Swallowers Convention and Sideshow Gathering. The event was captured on film on the documentary "Stomachs of Steel" that aired on The Discovery Channel.
Currently, the youngest confirmed sword swallower in the US is now 18-year-old Erik Kloeker of the Pickled Brothers Sideshow in Florence KY, who is a bit younger than the next youngest US sword swallowers Brett Loudermilk (who is 4 months older at 18 years old) and Alex Zander (who is currently a few months older at 19 years old).
Unofficial
Youngest
Swordswallower
Russia/Sweden
14 years old Jewels Jewels was born in Russia, started swallowing swords in Sweden at the age of 14, and moved to perform in England at the age of 17.
Unofficial
Youngest
Swordswallower
UK
16 years old Amy Saunders Amy Saunders started swallowing swords in England at the age of 16.
Unofficial
Youngest
Swordswallower
Australia
22 years old Space Cowboy At age 22, Chayne Hultgren was reported to be the youngest working sword swallower in Australia.
Unofficial
Most Years
Sword Swallowing
58 years
50 years
50 years
48 years
47 years
43 years
39 years
38 years
28 years
28 years
Jim Lucky Ball II
Capt. Don Leslie
Lyle Tuttle
Count Desmond
Johnny Meah
Danny Larsen
Rick Dennis
Red Stuart
Johnny Fox
Rhea Roma
Jim Lucky Ball II learned sword swallowing in 1948 at the age of 12 from his mother, Estelline Pike and his father Lucky Ball.
Capt. Don Leslie learned sword swallowing in 1955-56 at the age of 16 from Carlos Leal and in 1956-57 from Alex Linton.
Lyle Tuttle learned sword swallowing in 1956 from Capt. Don Leslie and in 1957 from Tony Marino.
Count Desmond learned sword swallowing in 1956-57.
Johnny Meah learned sword swallowing in 1957.
Danny Larsen taught himself sword swallowing in 1963.
Rick Dennis learned sword swallowing in 1966.
Red Stuart learned sword swallowing in 1967 from Toni Del Rio.
Johnny Fox learned sword swallowing in 1977.
Rhea Roma learned sword swallowing from Count Desmond in 1977.
First Man
To Swallow
Lightbulbs
Lightbulbs Chevalier Cliquot According to Houdini's book "Miracle Mongers", the first man to swallow an electric lightbulb was Chevalier Cliquot. Cliquot's act included swallowing an electric light bulb connected to an 8-volt battery (1890s)
First Woman
To Swallow
Neon Tubes
Neon Tubes Edna Price According to Ripley's Believe It Or Not, the first woman to swallow a white neon tube was Edna Price (1920s) (video)
First Double Neon Tubes Two Neon Tubes "Manx" James Loughron Manx (James Loughron) of Australia was the first to swallow TWO neon tubes at the same time at the age of 21. (video)
Official
Sword Swallowing
Jack Hammer
Jack Hammer Thomas Blackthorne Thomas Blackthorne swallows a running jackhammer.
Sword Swallowing
While Passing
Juggling Clubs
While passing clubs Bill Berry
Keith Nelson

Dan Meyer
Keith Nelson and IJA silver- and gold-medalist Bill Berry passed 6 juggling clubs between them while swallowing 2 swords at the 2002 SSAI Sword Swallowers Convention in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Keith Nelson and Dan Meyer passed 6 juggling clubs between them while Dan Meyer swallowed 1 sword at the 2003 SSAI Sword Swallowers Convention in Wilkes-Barre, PA
Whip Cracking while
Sword Swallowing
44 Whip Cracks
17 Whip Cracks
Bill Berry
Travis Fessler
Travis Fessler of Pickled Brothers Sideshow from Florence, KY cracked a bull whip 17 consecutive times while swallowing a sword on September 5, 2005 at the 2005 SSAI Convention in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Bill Berry of Team Rootberry cracked 2 bull whips a total of 44 consecutive times while swallowing a sword later in 2005 to break the previous record. (video)
Sword Swallowing
On Bed of Nails
While Laying on a Bed of Nails Andrew Stanton Andrew Stanton of Las Vegas, NV lays on his chest on a bed of nails and grabs his ankles while swallowing a sword.
Singing While
Sword Swallowing
Singing Michele White Michele White of Victoria, Australia can sing while swallowing a sword
First Handstand while sword swallowing Handstand "Manx" James Loughron Manx (James Loughron) of Australia was the first to do a handstand while swallowing a sword on August 3, 2008. (video)
Longest Time for
Sword Swallowing
Longest Time Michele White Michele White of Victoria, Australia swallowed a sword and retained it down her throat for a period of 3 minutes and :45 seconds.
Official Confirmed
Sword Swallowing
On Unicycle
While Jumping Rope on Unicycle Joey Joey Joey Joey, of New York, performs an act in which he swallows a sword, mounts his unicycle with the sword inside him, and then jumps rope all at the same time.
Sword Swallowing
While Hanging Suspended Over Niagara Falls
Sword Swallowing
While Suspended Over Niagara Falls
Count Desmond Count Desmond swallowed a sword while suspended 200 feet over Niagara Falls on Friday, June 13, 1980.
Sword Swallowing
While Hanging Suspended
Upside Down
(Finland)
Sword Swallowing
While Suspended
Upside Down
(Finland)
Jari Tapanainen Jari Tapanainen swallowed a 50 cm sword to the hilt while hanging suspended upside down for the Ennätystehdas TV program in Finland. It was filmed on 10 October 2006 and aired on 5.11.2006.
Double Sword Swallow
While Hanging Suspended
Upside Down
(Australia)
Double Sword Swallowing
While Suspended
Upside Down
(Australia)
Chayne Hultgren
Lucky Diamond Rich
Chayne Hultgren, the Space Cowboy of Australia swallowed a sword while hanging suspended upside down while being lowered down while Lucky Diamond Rich swallowed another sword attached to the bottom of it for the first double sword swallow at the Glastonbury Festival in 2000.
Unofficial Unconfirmed
Sword Swallowing
Underwater
(Australia)
Underwater Matthew Henshaw Matty Blade of Australia claims to have swallowed a sword underwater in a private swimming pool before a few friends at a private party in North Perth Western Australia on on January 1, 2004. No photos or other verifiable proof available.
Official Confirmed
Sword Swallowing
Underwater
In a Tank of Sharks
(Australia)
Underwater in a Tank of Sharks Chayne Hultgren Chayne Hultgren, the Space Cowboy of Australia was the first person to publicly swallow a sword underwater in a tank of live sharks before the press on May 9, 2006 at Manly Ocean World Aquarium in Sydney Australia.
Official Confirmed
Sword Swallowing
Underwater
In a Tank of Sharks
and Stingrays
(Western Hemisphere)
Underwater in a Tank of Sharks and Stingrays Dan Meyer Dan Meyer of Nashville, TN was the first person in the United States to swallow a sword while submerged underwater in a tank of live sharks and stingrays for Ripley's Believe it or Not! on May 18, 2007 at Ripley's Aquarium during Bike Week in Myrtle Beach, SC. Dan swallowed a 22-inch solid steel sword first, followed by a 30-inch solid steel sword with 24-inch long blade while submerged 15 feet underwater surrounded by more than 80 sharks and stingrays in 85,000 gallons of salt water. Ripley's Believe It or Not! officials were on hand to witness the event, along with Myrtle Beach Bike Week visitors including a visiting 3rd Grade class and numerous TV crews. The event was uplinked by satellite feed and witnessed by over 25 million viewers on over 400 TV stations around the world. The feat was featured in a Ripley's Believe It or Not! cartoon on Sept 22, 2007, and included in an upcoming Ripley's Believe It or Not! book. (video)
Sword Swallowing
While Suspended From Body Hooks
While Suspended From Body Hooks Andrew Stanton Andrew Stanton was the first to swallow a sword while suspended by body hooks on Friday, October 17, 2003.

* Note: Due to the dangers related to swordswallowing, the Guinness Book of World Records retired the category of sword swallowing in 1980 after an American sword swallower (Count Desmond) nearly choked to death in his attempt to swallow 13 swords at once. The category was reopened periodically between 1980 and 2000; however, the 2001 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records contained no mention of sword swallowing whatsoever. As of February 2005, Guinness has again begun recognizing and certifying sword swallowing records as verified by the Sword Swallowers Association Int'l.

We are constantly seeking notification, confirmation, verification, and more detailed information to confirm all records, both unofficial personal and official records. If you have verifiable proof or additional information to collaborate, confirm or correct any records, please contact us.



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