It’s frequently claimed that records are set only to be surpassed and replaced with better ones. The Guinness Book of World Records is an authoritative source for evaluating human records and outstanding accomplishments. Since its debut in 1955, many individuals today actively want to have their names added to the book. 

During the early years of recognition by the Guinness World Record, only White people get the privilege to feature in this global list of achievements. Nevertheless, in recent years, Guinness World Records has recognized many Black people from around the world. 

Here are 11 amazing world records held by Black people.

Largest Coffee Sketch in the World

South African Artist Percy Maimela, in September 2019, won a spot in the Guinness World Record after successfully creating a giant mosaic made from coffee. The then 33-year-old created a picture of popular South African Grammy-award-winning deejay, DJ Black Coffee using nothing but coffee. The artist completed his painting on a 5×5 meter canvas, with the sheet 100% covered in ground coffee with zero negative space to qualify for the Guinness World Record title. “This was my first experiment with coffee, and it came out perfect. I love what I do; whatever goes on in my mind, it’s magic, I actually talk to the art, but I couldn’t because it’s public”, said Maimela. Maimela dedicates his achievement to every South Africa who is scared of chasing their dream.

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First Double-double Dismount on beam in competition

Simone Biles became the first person in history to perform a double-double dismount (a double salto backward tucks with 2/1 twist) on the balance beam in competition, at the United States National Gymnastics Championships, in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, on 9 August 2019. During a floor routine the same week, she became the first woman in history to perform a triple-double (a double salto backward tuck with a 3/1 twist). It was named the Biles II. Biles is the most decorated gymnast of all time, male or female, with 25 world championship medals - 19 of which are gold.

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The Largest Afro on a Living Person

Aevin Dugas from Louisiana has the largest afro on a living person, winning the Guinness World Record for a fourth time. When Aevin first achieved the record title in 2010, her afro had an incredible 4 ft 4 in (132 cm) circumference. Between frequent trims and styling regimens, quite a bit goes into upkeeping Aevin’s afro. Despite Dugas’s effort in her hair’s upkeep, she said she rarely wears it in an afro. However, during the occasions where she does let her afro loose, Aevin said she receives all kinds of reactions from people in public. “Some just yell things in admiration, some stare, some ask questions, then some just walk up and take a little tug. I’ve learned to just give them a little pop on the hand with a few words of choice. I won’t repeat them here.”

The Longest Cooking Time

Indian chef Lata Tondon is the current holder of the cooking marathon record after a marathon of 87 hours and 45 minutes in September 2019. This month, Nigerian chef Hilda Bassey completed a 100-hour cooking marathon, using her culinary skill and stamina to combine local and foreign dishes to create over 110 meals, aiming to set a new world record. Bassey’s time still needs to be certified by Guinness World Record officials before it can be made official.

First Female Artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is most known for her incredible hits, including Respect and I Say a Little Prayer. One of the most respected musicians of all time, she was also the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the class of 1987. This year, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott became the first female hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

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The Youngest NBA player to start a game

Late Kobe Bryant was a former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard who was highly respected on and off the court. He made history early in his career at 18 years 158 days, when he started his first NBA game for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Dallas Mavericks on 28 January 1997, breaking the record for being the world’s youngest NBA player to start a game. The NBA superstar and basketball icon entered the NBA straight out of high school in 1996. During his playing career, he utilized his passion and perseverance to earn five NBA championships, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals.

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Most People Brushing their teeth simultaneously

On July 4th, 2013, about 300,000 participating students within 376 locations throughout Lagos, Nigeria, brushed their teeth simultaneously for the full minute, smashing the previously held record set in 2007 when 117,000 performed the same feat in India. The largest gathering was at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, with smaller events organized simultaneously at hundreds of other locations across the capital. The former Nigerian Dental Association President, Dr Olurotimi Olojede, said the event aimed to teach pupils how to brush and to help them understand the importance of good oral hygiene.

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Most FIFA World Cup Wins by A Player

Edson Arantes do Nascimento was a Brazilian professional footballer, better known by his nickname Pelé. By the end of his career, Pelé had won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil, the most wins of the World Cup by any player. Pelé’s first World Cup win came in Sweden in 1958, a tournament in which he provided an assist for a goal in his only first-round-match appearance before scoring the only goal in a quarterfinal victory over Wales. Pelé’s third and final triumph came in 1970. He returned to World Cup play after vowing never to play in the competition again because of the brutal targeted tackling he suffered throughout the 1966 tournament. He won the Golden Ball, scoring four goals, the pick of which was the opener in the 4-1 final victory over Italy.

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World’s Largest Paradise Cocktail

During an appearance at BottleRock Napa Valley music festival alongside fellow rapper Warren G and Top Chef Season 6 winner Michael Voltaggio in 2018, Snoop broke the Guinness World Record for the biggest gin and juice by stirring up a drink that contained 180 bottles of gin, 154 bottles of apricot brandy and 38 jugs of orange juice. Snoop then topped the giant boozy beverage off with a massive red drinking straw, a pink parasol, and a garnish of pineapple and melon on a sword. According to Guinness, the whole cocktail weighed in at more than 132 gallons, officially cementing Snoop’s place in gin and juice history.

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Holder of Two World Records for Half Marathons

Nigeria’s Tuedon “Tee” Omatsola Morgan earned two Guinness World Records titles for the fastest time for a woman to run a half marathon on each continent (10 days, 23 hours, and 37 minutes) and the quickest time for a woman to run a half marathon on each continent and the North Pole (62 days, 12 hours, 58 minutes and 49 seconds). An accountant by profession and mother to four boys currently living in Qatar, Morgan began her record-breaking journey with a desire to change her unhealthy lifestyle. “I went from an unfit 121 kg to the Guinness World Record”, she explained and said she hoped her amazing story would inspire others.

Music Artist with the first track to reach one billion streams on Spotify

Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has a Guinness World Record for being the artist with the first track to reach one billion streams on Spotify. Wizkid achieved this with One Dance by Drake (Canada), featuring him and Kyla on December 16, 2016.

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