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These Are the UAE's Craziest World Records

Dubai sunset from Burj Khalifa
Dubai sunset from Burj Khalifa | © Simon Bierwald / Flickr

Keen to stand out and establish themselves as a global contender, the UAE is constantly setting and breaking world records. Whether it’s the most nails filed and varnished in under eight hours, or the world’s longest handmade gold chain, here’s our pick of the craziest world records in the UAE.

Most table tennis ball bounces on a racket in one minute while blindfolded

Surprisingly, this is actually a world record. Alexandre Mitterand, a Frenchman, bounced a table tennis ball 27 times in one minute while at an event at the Etisalat Beach Canteen in Dubai.

World’s highest suspended hotel suite

This title belongs to the Abu Dhabi Suite in The St Regis Abu Dhabi. Suspended over 200 meters (656 feet) above ground and spanning 1,120 sq meters (12,056 sq feet), this palatial hotel suite can be booked for an eye-watering Dhs 100,000 (USD$27,229) per night. Located on the 48th and 49th floors, the suite offers panoramic views of the Abu Dhabi skyline. Revolutionising the concept of luxury, the Abu Dhabi Suite comes with a chauffeur-driven Bentley; personal butler service; a spa with a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi; a library; a theatre room; a lounge bar; two kitchens; a fitness room; three bedrooms; four bathrooms; staff quarters and a private lift. With an Arabian-themed setting, the rooms are completed with gold accents, nineteen crystal chandeliers, leather furniture and local artwork, giving opulent a brand new meaning.

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Most nails filed and varnished in eight hours

The Beauty Connection Spa partnered with KOKO Nail to file 50,080 nails and varnish the fingernails of 5,108 people within eight hours. Hosted at The Dubai Mall, which itself holds the world record for the largest mall in the world, 100 manicurists broke the record previously held for three years by Sally Hansen and Priceline. In addition to receiving free manicures, the participants received a limited edition Guinness KOKO polish as a gift and donations were open for Dubai-based charity, Rashid Centre for Disabled.

World’s longest handmade gold chain

At 5.522 kilometres (3.431 miles) long, the ‘Dubai Celebration Chain,’ holds the title of the world’s longest handmade gold chain. Employing over 100 talented craftsmen and taking over 45 days to produce, the 22 karat chain weighed a whopping 256 kilograms (564 lbs). Made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Shopping Festival, the chain was unveiled at the Deira Gold Souk bus station and was later sold in pieces to shoppers.

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Most mechanical energy produced by pedalling on a static bicycle in one hour

A very specific record, this was set by 300 participants who worked together to produce 8,999 watt hours of energy. Hosted by Burj Park in Dubai, 100 stationary bikes were set up to break this record.

World’s furthest leaning man-made tower

This honour belongs to Abu Dhabi’s skyscraper, Capital Gate, which is also known as the ‘Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi.’ At 160 meters (525 feet), it is also one of the tallest buildings in the capital city. Thanks to clever engineering and architectural design, the building leans 18 degrees to the west.

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Fastest game of Operation

The notoriously tricky and delicate board game was completed in only 21.87 seconds by Maharoof Decibels, from India, at the Global Village Pavilion in Dubai.

Biggest picture frame

The Dubai Frame, which at 150 meters (492 feet) towers above the city’s skyline, took nearly ten years of planning before being unveiled just this year. The project, which cost an astounding Dhs 320 million (USD$87,134,105), aims to be the “new face of Dubai” and join the ranks of the Burj Khalifa to be a tourist hotspot. With a museum showcasing the rapid development of the city from a desert to a metropolitan hub, visitors can view older, historical spots from the city’s past on one side and modern landmarks on the other.

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Largest flower arrangement

The largest flower arrangement in the world is in the shape of an Airbus A380. Measuring 72.95 by 78.34 by 21.98 metres (239.38 by 257.02 by 72.11 feet), the arrangement can be found in Dubai Miracle Garden, the city’s nature hub.

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Largest kidney

Emirati Ahmed Saeed Mohammed Omar was awarded the Guinness World Record for the largest kidney after his 4.25 kilogram (9.37 lb) kidney was removed by a surgeon in Dubai. Larger than a rugby ball, Omar’s kidney was so enlarged he had difficulty walking and breathing as his stomach swelled and his internal organs were crushed under the weight. The kidney was almost double of the previous record of 2.14 kilograms (4.72 lbs).

Largest standing lantern

A record currently held by Sharjah, the largest lantern stands 13.09 meters (42.95 feet) tall and is crafted out of wood and copper. It can be found at Souq Al Jubail where it has now become a local landmark.

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World’s tallest chocolate sculpture

To celebrate the UAE’s 43rd National Day, Andrew Farrugia, from Malta, created a 13.52 metre (44.36-feet)-tall replica of the iconic Burj Khalifa entirely out of Belgian chocolate. The sculpture was unveiled at Dubai International Airport and weighed 5,200 kilograms (11,464 lbs). 10,000 pieces of chocolate were hand-cut, shipped to Dubai and assembled within the airport.

Biggest tin of caviar

Where else would you find the largest tin of caviar? In collaboration with AmStur Caviar, the Burj Al Arab broke the world record with a 17.86 kilogram (39.38 lb) tin. Handmade by AmStur for this auspicious occasion, the tin was named “The Mashenomak” to honour the Native American legend of the “Great White Surgeon.”

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Biggest driver’s licence

Sharjah Police was awarded this accolade by Guinness World Records, and the certificate was presented to the police department’s commander-in-chief Brig. Saif Zari Al Shamsi. Luckily, this record seems pretty safe as there is not much competition to beat this record.

Largest mango sticky rice

Cooking up 2,831 kilograms (6,241 lbs) of this classic Thai desert, a team of dedicated chefs at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort cinched the record for the largest mango sticky rice.

About the author

Siobhan Ali is enthusiastic about topics ranging from societies, culture and music to travelling, history and gender issues. Having written for various publications, she also maintains a personal blog on which she shares these articles as well as other ideas, experiences and musings. She can be found on this link: https://thewordcollectorblog.wordpress.com/

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