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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 21 swords 18 swords 16 swords 16 swords 15 swords 14 swords 9 swords |
Red Stuart Red Stuart Red Stuart Red Stuart Matthew Henshaw Chayne Hultgren Lucky Ball Johnny Fox Dan Meyer Dai Andrews Chris Steele |
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 (later 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 "World Sword Swallower's 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. (video) Matty Blade Henshaw swallowed 14 60 cm. swords regularly in his shows from April 5, 2000 to June 2004. On May 29, 2010, Henshaw swallowed 21 swords 13mm-wide and 45cm-long at the Perth Tattoo Expo in Perth Australia to set his own personal record and the new Australian record. 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 the record for Australia by swallowing 18 72 cm (28 inch) swords at once in Sydney, Australia. (video) Lucky Ball set his personal record by swallowing 16 swords at once in 1937 Johnny Fox swallowed 16 swords on the Jonathan Winters' Comedy Magic Special in the 1980s Dan Meyer swallowed 15 swords at once> on November 14, 2010 while delivering a lecture on the "History, Art and Science of Sword Swallowing" at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT before an audience of museum guests and media (video). Of these swords, 6 were a matched set of 100 year-old swords swallowed by World Champion sword swallower Edith Clifford who swallowed them with Barnum and Bailey Circus from 1899-1919 (video). Dan regularly swallows 7 swords at the same time in his shows, and was x-rayed swallowing 7 swords at Vanderbilt Medical Center Nashville for "Stan Lee's Superhumans". (video) Dai Andrews swallows 14 swords at the same time regularly in his show. On World Sword Swallower's Day 2012, Chris Steele swallowed 9 swords at once at Ripley's Believe It or Not St. Augustine, FL on February 25, 2012. |
| Unofficial Multiple Swords Women |
24 swords 20 swords 16 swords |
Edith Clifford |
"Champion Sword Swallower" Edith Clifford regularly swallowed 16, 20 and 24 swords at once between 1899-1905. Harry Houdini saw her perform with Ringling Brothers Circus in 1919, and was so impressed with her abillities that he dedicated a good portion of his book "Miracle Mongers and their Methords" to Clifford. Clifford may have continued to swallow multiple swords up until 1920, when she retired from sword swallowing. |
| 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 |
25 swords 22 swords 18 swords 17 swords 14 swords 14 swords 13 swords 10 swords 7 swords 7 swords 5 swords 4 swords |
Red Stuart Kishan Valaiah Ayula Chayne Hultgren Space Cowboy Chayne Hultgren Space Cowboy Matthew Henshaw Natasha Veruschka Count Desmond Brad Byers Dan Meyer Amy Saunders Lady Sandra Reed Alex Lang |
On September 3, 2005 Red Stuart swallowed 25 swords at once with blades measuring at least 18" long x 1/2" in width at the 2005 SSAI Convention in Wilkes-Barre, PA (video) (certified an official Guinness World Record™). Kishan Valaiah Ayula of India swallowed 22 swords at once for the Guinness World Records™ India official men's record at Ab India Todega in Mumbai, India on 13 February 2011. (video) Chayne Hultgren, the Space Cowboy of Australia held 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. Henshaw swallowed 14 60 cm. swords regularly in his shows from April 5, 2000 to June 2004. On May 29, 2010, Henshaw swallowed 21 swords 13mm-wide and 45cm-long at the Perth Tattoo Expo in Perth Australia to set his own personal record and the new Australian record. Natasha Veruschka received 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. She later broke this record for an official Guinness World Record™ when she swallowed 14 swords on the set of "Lo Show Dei Record" in Rome, Italy on April 1, 2010. Count Desmond held the official * Guinness World Record™ in 1981 for swallowing 13 swords at once on July 6th, 1980 Brad Byers received 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) Dan Meyer swallowed 7 swords at once on Sept 2-3, 2005 which was certified as an official Guinness World Record™ in 2005 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. (video) Amy later broke her own personal record and set a new Guinness World Record by swallowing 7 swords in London on September 11, 2004 on the Guinness World Records anniversary episode. 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 |
14 swords 7 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. Veruschka later broke this record for an official Guinness World Record™ when she swallowed 14 swords on the set of "Lo Show Dei Record" in Rome, Italy on April 1, 2010. 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. Amy later broke her own personal record and set a new Guinness World Record by swallowing 7 swords in London on September 11, 2004 on the Guinness World Records anniversary episode. Lady Sandra Reed held the * Guinness World Record in 1975-1977 for swallowing 5 swords at one time. |
|
Personal Records Multiple Swords |
52 swords 34 swords 25 swords 21 swords 18 swords 16 swords 15 swords 14 swords 14 swords 13 swords 11 swords 10 swords 7 swords |
Red Stuart Red Stuart Red Stuart Matthew Henshaw Chayne Hultgren Johnny Fox Dan Meyer Dai Andrews Count Desmond Natasha Veruschka John Strong Brad Byers 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 (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 "World Sword Swallower's Day 2009", Red Stuart broke his previous world 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. Matty Blade Henshaw swallowed 14 60 cm. swords regularly from April 5, 2000 to June 2004. On May 29, 2010, Henshaw swallowed 21 swords 13mm-wide and 45cm-long at the Perth Tattoo Expo in Perth Australia to set his own personal record and the new Australian record. 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 Dan Meyer swallowed 15 swords at once> on November 14, 2010 while delivering a lecture on the "History, Art and Science of Sword Swallowing" at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT before an audience of museum guests and media (video). Of these swords, 6 were a matched set of 100 year-old swords swallowed by World Champion sword swallower Edith Clifford who swallowed them with Barnum and Bailey Circus from 1899-1919 (video). Dan regularly swallows 7 swords at the same time in his shows, and was x-rayed swallowing 7 swords at Vanderbilt Medical Center Nashville for "Stan Lee's Superhumans". (video) 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 inserted one at a time Amy Saunders swallowed 5 swords in London in 1999. According to Guinness World Records, 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. Amy later broke her own personal record and set a new Guinness World Record by swallowing 7 swords at once in London on September 11, 2004 on the Guinness World Records anniversary episode. |
| 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) |
|
Official: Most Individual Swords Swallowed In 30 seconds |
6 Swords | Dan Meyer | On October 22, 2011, Dan Meyer swallowed 6 swords individually, one at a time, in 30 seconds for Record Setters World Records officials in Cincinnati, OH. (video) |
|
Official: Most Individual Swords Swallowed In 1 Minute |
13 Swords | Dan Meyer | On October 22, 2011, Dan Meyer swallowed 13 swords individually, one at a time, in 60 seconds for Record Setters World Records officials in Cincinnati, OH. (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 (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 (Canada) David Straitjacket (UK) Space Cowboy (Australia) Elena Sellentin (Germany) Marco Cardona (Italy) Helmut Helmurto (Germany) Captain Frodo (Norway) Gordo Gamsby (Australia) |
The sword known as "The Sword of Swords" has been swallowed by at least 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 in September 2002 at the first Sword Swallowers Association International international Sword Swallower's Convention by sword swallowers Thomas Blackthorne, Dai Andrews, Roderick Russell, Dan Meyer, Damien Blade, Johnny Fox, Ses Carny, Frack, Malakai, George the Giant, Peter Pokus, Red Stuart, Lizard Man, Bill Berry, Mr. Pennygaff, The Great Fredini, Jewels, Natasha Veruschka, Todd Robbins, Tim Cridland, and Tyler Fyre The Sword of Swords was also swallowed in 2002 by Miss Behave and Wasp Boy. The Sword of Swords was then swallowed by Lucky Diamond Rich on September 2, 2003, the day he became the world's most tattooed man. It was also swallowed in 2003 by Claudio Borghi. In 2004, it was swallowed by sword swallower Rupert. In 2005 it was swallowed by David Straitjacket. In 2006, the sword was swallowed by Space Cowboy, Elena Sellentin, Marco Cardona, Helmut Hannibal Helmurto. In 2007, it was swallowed by Captain Frodo, Gordo Gamsby. The Sword of Swords has since been certified as an official Guinness World Record™. |
| 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 in 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 |
83.82 cm / 33 inches | George The Giant | At 7' 3" tall, George the Giant has a height advantage and holds the world record for swallowing the longest sword by swallowing a sword with a 33" long blade. |
| Curved Sword | 90 degrees | Dai Andrews Brad Byers Thomas Blackthorne Dan Meyer |
Fewer than 5 performers are currently swallowing swords with a 90 degree curve: 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) |
|
Official Sword Swallowing Jack Hammer |
Jack Hammer | Thomas Blackthorne | Thomas Blackthorne swallows a running jackhammer. |
| Official Heaviest Weighted Sword Swallow Lift |
5.14 kg / 11.3 lbs |
Dan Meyer |
Dan Meyer swallowed a sword with 19 inch long blade and the used it to lift 5 liters of water in a bucket with combined weight of 5.14 kilograms (11.3 lbs) which he held for 5.63 seconds to set a new Assist World Record on February 5, 2012 in Hyderabad India. (video) This record was witnessed, adjudicated, and verified by a team of 5 official adjudicators from Global Assist World Records India and certified an official Global Assist World Record before a live audience of over 10,000 people attending CityFest Hyderabad at Wesley Degree College in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. This record was also later certified as an official Record Setter World Record. |
| Official *Guinness World Record™ Heaviest Weighted Sword Swallow |
22.4 kg / 49.3 lbs 20.1 kg / 44.3 lbs |
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. |
| Unofficial Heaviest Weighted Sword Swallow |
31 kg / 68.3 lbs 17.4 kg / 38.4 lbs |
Aerial Manx Chris Steele |
Aerial Manx holds the unofficial record for the heaviest weighted sword swallow weighing 31 kilograms (68.3 lbs) lifted from a swallowed sword in Newport Melbourne Australia on May 3, 2011: Two 5 kg handweights, two 4kg handweights, one 3 kg handweight, and two 5kg sand bags. (video)
Chris Steele swallowed a 16 inch long sword weighted with 2 cinder blocks weighing a total of 38 lbs, 4 ozs (17.42 kg) on April 25, 2011 on the America's Got Talent auditions at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA. The episode aired on America's Got Talent on June 25, 2011. (video) |
| Official *Guinness World Record™ Heaviest Object |
38 kg / 83.12 lbs |
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 |
1696.4 kg / 3740 lbs | 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, according to the Guinness World Records™ website. |
| Official *Guinness World Record™ Underwater Sword Swallow |
Sword Swallowing Underwater | Dan Meyer | On March 24, 2010, Dan Meyer receieved the Guinness World Record™ for swallowing a sword with 18 inch long blade while submerged underwater on the Italian TV program "Lo Show Dei Record" in Rome, Italy. Dan then broke this record by swallowing a longer 30 inch sword with 24 inch long blade underwater. He then set a new Guinness World Record™ record for swallowing 2 swords underwater simultaneously when he swallowed both of them together at the same time. Dan punctured his esophagus while filming the records, and spent the next 10 days recuperating on an IV drip in a hospital in Rome. (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 Hottest Sword |
Red-Hot Sword | Dan Meyer |
In September 2008 and from April-December 2009, Dan Meyer swallowed a 37.5 inch red-hot sword heated to over 1500 degrees Fahrenheit (817 degrees Celsius) in Hartselle, AL, and publicly on February 1, 2010 for medical professionals and other witnesses in Hartselle, AL in a filmed documentary for "The History Channel's Stan Lee's SuperHumans" episode "Man of Steel". The episode first aired on The History Channel Sept 23, 2010 and again on Sept 30, 2010 (behind-the-scenes footage) |
|
Unconfirmed Youngest Swordswallower USA |
12 years old 13 years old |
Jim Lucky Ball II Rick Dennis |
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. |
|
Confirmed Youngest Swordswallower USA |
14 years old |
Alex Zander Morrow |
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. |
|
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 New Zealand |
19 years old | Nick Steward | When he learned sword swallowing at the age of 19 in 2008, Nick Steward was the youngest known sword swallower in New Zealand. |
|
Unofficial Youngest Swordswallower Mexico |
18 years old | Andrei Saffioti | By learning sword swallowing at the age of 18 in 2010, Andrei Saffioti is the youngest known sword swallower in Mexico. |
|
Unofficial Most Years Sword Swallowing |
64 years 54 years 50 years 48 years 43 years 39 years 36 years 33 years 33 years |
Jim Lucky Ball II Johnny Meah Lyle Tuttle Count Desmond Red Stuart Rick Dennis Dale Pritchard 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, and is still swallowing swords and doing public shows today. Johnny Meah learned sword swallowing in 1957, and is still sword swallowing today. 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. Rick Dennis learned sword swallowing in 1966. Red Stuart learned sword swallowing in 1967 from Toni Del Rio and is still sword swallowing today. Dale Pritchard learned sword swallowing from Count Desmond in 1975. Johnny Fox learned sword swallowing in 1977. Rhea Roma learned sword swallowing from Count Desmond in 1977. |
| Oldest Living Sword Swallowers |
Age Year 82 195? 80 1956 77 1947 76 1957 75 1958 74 1955 73 195? 72 1957 69 1961 64 1971 62 1975 62 1966 60 1966 59 1967 59 1973 58 1977 57 1997 56 1997 56 1982 54 1978 |
Name (Country) John Blixt (Sweden) Lyle Tuttle (US) Jim Lucky Ball (US) Johnny Meah (US) Stan Marye (US) Timo Tuomivaara (Finland) Red Trower (US) Count Desmond (US) Tom Orchante (NZ) Hans Rosling (Sweden) Dale Pritchard (US) Red Stuart (US) Rick Dennis (US) Jan Refne (NOR) Angelo Helay (US) Johnny Fox (US) Mike Harrison (US) Dan Meyer (US) Ricky Hargrove (US) Diane Falk (US) |
Top 20 oldest living sword swallowers by age, year started sword swallowing, and country. |
|
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) |
| Double Neon Tubes | 2 Neon Tubes | "Manx" James Loughron | Manx (James Loughron) of Australia was the first to swallow 2 neon tubes at the same time at the age of 21. (video) |
| Unofficial Double Neon Tubes and Steel Sword |
2 Neon Tubes and 1 Steel Sword |
Aerial Manx | Aerial Manx holds the unofficial record for swallowing 2 individual 2000-volt neon tubes with a 47cm steel sword wedged between them in Newport Melbourne Australia on May 3, 2011. |
|
Singing While Sword Swallowing |
Singing | Michele White | Michele White of Victoria, Australia can sing while swallowing a sword |
|
Longest Time for Sword Swallowing Australia |
Longest Time | Michele White | Michele White of Victoria, Australia swallowed a sword and retained it in her throat for a period of 225 seconds, or 3:45 (3 minutes, :45 seconds). |
|
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 |
|
Most Targets Hit with a Whip While Sword Swallowing |
8 targets | Travis Fessler of Pickled Brothers Sideshow from Florence, KY set the SSAI world's record for hitting 8 targets with a whip while sword swallowing at 1:30pm on September 10, 2011 at the Old West Festival in Williamsburg, OH. (video) | |
|
Whip Cracking while Sword Swallowing |
44 Whip Cracks 17 Whip Cracks |
Bill Berry |
Travis Fessler of Pickled Brothers Sideshow from Florence, KY set the original SSAI world's record for whip-cracking while sword swallowing by cracking 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 later broke that record by cracking 2 bull whips a total of 44 consecutive times while swallowing a sword in 2005. (video) |
|
Sword Swallowing While Laying Down |
While Laying Down | Jim Lucky Ball II | Jim Lucky Ball II swallowed swords while laying down on the bally stage in 1956. |
|
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. |
|
Sword Swallowing On a Rolla Bolla |
While Standing on a Rolla Bolla | Nick Steward | Nick Steward of Auckland New Zealand swallowed a sword while balancing on a rolla bolla for a TV program in August 2008. On May 10, 2012 he swallowed a 28 inch sword with 20 inch long blade while balancing on a rolla bolla in Chennai India. (video) |
| First Handstand While Sword Swallowing | Handstand | "Manx" James Loughron | Aerial Manx (James Loughron) of Australia was the first to perform a handstand while swallowing a sword on August 3, 2008. (video) |
|
Longest Time Balancing In a Handstand While Sword Swallowing |
17 seconds | "Manx" James Loughron | Aerial Manx (James Loughron) of Australia performed a handstand for 17 seconds while swallowing a sword in 2010. |
|
Cartwheels while Sword Swallowing |
Cartwheels While Sword Swallowing |
Lora Rae Penney Aerial Manx |
Lora Rae Penney performed a cartwheel while swallowing a sword in Maine. (video) Aerial Manx (James Loughron) of Australia performed 7 consecutive cartwheels in a row while swallowing a sword in 2010. In Feburary 2011, Aerial Manx was filmed doing 9 cartwheel sword swallows for Australia's Got Talent in Sydney Australia. (video) |
| Most Swords Swallowed While Doing Cartwheels | 3 Swords, 2 Cartwheels | Nick Penney |
Nick Penney performed a 2 cartwheels while swallowing 3 swords at once. (video) |
|
World's First Aerial Walkover While Sword Swallowing |
World's First Aerial Walkover While Sword Swallowing | "Manx" James Loughron | Aerial Manx (James Loughron) of Australia performed the world's first aeriall walkover while swallowing a sword in 2010. |
| Worlds First Sword Swallow while Balancing Upside Down in a Hand-to-hand Handstand | Worlds First Sword Swallow while Balancing Upside Down in a Hand-to-hand Handstand | "Manx" James Loughron | Aerial Manx (James Loughron) performed the world's first sword swallow while being balanced in a handstand on the hands of Hemlock Merjarne in Australia in 2010. |
|
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. |
|
Most Curved Swords Swallowed at Once (UK) |
2 Curved Swords At Once |
Ian Brown | Ian Brown (El Lurchio) swallowed 2 curved swords at once measuring 65cm (25.5 inches) long with blades lengths of 53cm (21 inches) long on July 12, 2012 at Ryde on the Isle of Wight. (video) |
|
Sword Swallowing While Hanging Suspended Upside Down (USA) |
Sword Swallowing While Suspended Upside Down (USA) |
Dan Meyer | Dan Meyer swallowed a 19 inch sword to the hilt while hanging suspended upside down from a trapeze while wearing suspension boots on September 19, 2005 in Hartselle, AL. |
|
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. |
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Sword Swallowing While Hanging Suspended Upside Down (UK) |
Sword Swallowing While Suspended Upside Down (UK) |
Helmut Kirchmeier | Helmut Kirchmeier swallowed a sword while hanging suspended upside down on February 28, 2009 for World Sword Swallower's Day 2009 while on tour with with the Circus of Horrors in Brecon, Wales, UK. The feat was featured in the April 2009 edition of Bizarre Magazine. |
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Sword Swallowing While Hanging Suspended Over Niagara Falls (Canada) |
Sword Swallowing While Suspended Over Niagara Falls |
Count Desmond | Count Desmond swallowed a sword while suspended upside down from a helicopter 200 feet over Niagara Falls on Friday, June 13, 1980. |
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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. (video) |
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Most Swords Swallowed While Hanging Upside Down (USA) |
3 Swords Swallowed While Hanging Upside Down |
Nick Penney | Nick Penney swallowed 3 swords at once while hanging suspended upside down by his knees on a playground. The blade lengths of the swords were 15 inches, 16 and a 1/2 inches, and 18 inches long. Wednesday, July 18, 2012 (video) |
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Most Consecutive Pushups While Sword Swallowing (USA) |
6 Pushups | Nick Penney | Nick Penney performed 3 pushups while swallowing a sword with a blade length of 16 and a half inches long on June 11th 2012. (video) |
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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 at a private party in North Perth Western Australia on on January 1, 2004. No photos or other verifiable proof available. |
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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. |
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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 grade school students and numerous TV crews. The event was uplinked by satellite feed and witnessed by over 40 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 in the 2009 Ripley's Believe It or Not! book. (video) |
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Chainsaw Juggling while Sword Swallowing (Australia) |
Chainsaw Juggling | Aerial Manx | Aerial Manx was the first person to juggle a running chainsaw with two machetes while swallowing a 47 cm long sword at Melbourne Botanical Gardens on Monday March 29, 2011. (video) |
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Suicide Drop on Chinese Pole (Australia) |
Chinese Pole | Aerial Manx | Aerial Manx was the first person to do a suicide drop on a Chinese pole a distance of 3 meters while swallowing a 52 cm long sword at the Circus Oz rehearsal space in Port Melbourne, Australia in August 2010. (video) |
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Back Flip while Sword Swallowing (Australia) |
Chinese Pole | Aerial Manx | Aerial Manx was the first person to perform a backflip while swallowing a 47 cm long sword at Melbourne Botanical Gardens on Monday March 29, 2011. (video) |
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Sword Swallowing While Suspended on Body Hooks Male (USA) |
USA | Andrew Stanton | Andrew Stanton of SwingShift Sideshow was the first person in the US to swallow a sword while suspended by body hooks on Friday, October 17, 2003 outside of Studio 21 Tattoo in Las Vegas, Nevada. |
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Sword Swallowing While Suspended on Body Hooks Female (USA) |
USA | Brianna Belladonna | Brianna Belladonna became the first woman in the US to swallow a sword while suspended by body hooks when she swallowed a sword with 19 inch blade while suspended by body hooks in Los Angeles, CA on June 23, 2011. (video) She then set a new record by becoming the first woman to swallow 2 swords while suspended when she swallowed 2 swords together while suspended on June 23, 2011. (video) |
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Sword Swallowing While Suspended on Body Hooks (UK) |
UK | Helmut Kirchmeier | Helmut Kirchmeier was the first person in the UK to swallow a sword while suspended by body hooks in 2009. |
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Sword Swallowing While Suspended on Body Hooks (Mexico) |
Mexico | Ricardo Chavoya | Ricardo Chavoya was the first person in Mexico to swallow a sword while suspended by body hooks on December 31, 2010. |
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Sword Swallowing While Suspended on Shark Hooks (Australia) |
Australia | Aerial Manx | Aerial Manx was the first person on record in Australia to swallow a 47 cm long sword while suspended by 2 shark hooks with two pyrotechnics strapped to the hilt at 1:00am on May 29, 2011. |
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