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23 Guinness World Records Broken In California In 2023
Californians love trying for Guinness World Records. Here are our favorites in 2023. Have you won a world record? Let Patch tell your story.
CALIFORNIA, CA ? It's that time of year again when Patch reviews California's Guinness World Record breakers to find the most weird, wacky, and wonderful among them.
In 2023, the Guinness World Record adjudicators were out in force testing the hopefuls and seeing who achieved record-breaking status. Optimistic candidates matched their talents with previously held records, shattering old records and inventing new categories for this and future Guinness World Record books.
Whether they won or didn't make the mark, Patch honors the following 23 candidates for acquiring quirky collections and attempting the gold standard for measuring feats of strength, endurance, and mental agility in California.
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Biggest Collections In 2023
1. When Some-Bunny Loves You... Most extensive Bunny Collection: Altadena, CA
Candace Frazee and Steve Lubanski hold the largest rabbit-related collection, totaling more than 40,550 items as of January 22. As of December 12, their "bunny museum" has 45,741. The collection began when the pair started exchanging bunny gifts as "love notes." Their wedding included a carrot cake and a bunny bride and groom. They opened the bunny museum to show their love, Lubanski said in an interview with Atlas Obscura. If you want to visit, head to The Bunny Museum at 2605 Lake Avenue, Altadena, or visit online at www.thebunnymuseum.com.
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2. The Force Grows Yearly With Star Wars Collection, Nonprofit Museum: Petaluma, CA
A Petaluma man has amassed the largest "Star Wars" memorabilia collection. In 2023, Steve Sansweet maintains the record, initially won on... May 4, 2015.
His collection began when he bought a book about concepts and collectibles, Sansweet said on his Facebook page for Rancho Obi-Wan. His Star Wars collection started 29 years ago and has been audited and cataloged. He expects the process to take years to complete as his collection grows yearly.
According to Guinness World Records, he has well over 500,000 unique items in his award-winning collection.
A La Mirada resident owns the most extensive Elvis Presley trading card collection. Constante Firme has more than 1,848 of the Elvis items?the record reset by Firme on 17 May 2023.
"Constantine's entire collection consists of official Elvis Presley trading cards," a spokesperson for Guinness said. "It began with Constante's father around 50 years ago, when he acquired his first pack of 'Monty Gum Elvis' cards in Europe."
Celebrity Awards In 2023
4. Famous Fist Bumps A First For "America's Got Talent" Judge Howie Mandel: Pasadena, CA
"America's Got Talent" set the stage for this next Guinness World Record. On April 11, David Rush and Howie Mandel broke the record for the most alternate fist bumps for a team of two within 30 seconds on stage at the Pasadena auditions. An adjudicator calculated that the pair managed 380 consecutive fist bumps during the audition. Though Rush received the record, he also earned three "Xs" from judges, not making it to the next round of "America's Got Talent." Rush held the previous record from February when he achieved the same goal but with only 273 alternate fist bumps.
"It looked very odd," Simon Cowell said. Mandel was the only judge to give Rush a nod during the audition. Rush has broken more than 250 world records to date.
5. First Oscar Nomination For Marvel Film Actor/Actress: Angela Bassett: Hollywood, CA
In January, Marvel Cinematic Universe earned a top nod with the Best Supporting Actress nomination for Angela Basset's work as Queen Ramonda in "Black Panther, Wakanda Forever." Bassett lost out to Jamie Lee Curtis at the Oscars but won Golden Globes and a Critic's Choice Award for the role.
6. Making Bank For Making Them Laugh: Hollywood, CA
Comedian Ricky Gervais won his Guinness World Record for the all-time Highest Gross for a single night of stand-up comedy.
"Ricky's show Armageddon made history the night of May 6, 2023, at his Hollywood Bowl performance, earning $1,790,206.50 for taking the stage," a Guinness spokesperson said.
7. This Show Went To The Dogs: Los Angeles, CA
Calling all the movie-loving dog owners! A total of 219 dogs were brought to the grand opening of Paramount Pictures "Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie" film screening, held at Griffith Park in Los Angeles on Sept. 24, 2023. The previous record was 199 dogs at a film screening.
The award for The Most Dogs Attending A Film Screening
was attempted that day, hosted by Kevin Frazier, co-host of the TV show Entertainment Tonight, who attended with his dog.
"Having 219 dogs at a screening is not easy to do," said Guinness World Records adjudicator Michael Empric, who attended the event. He counted the dogs who walked the red carpet, marking the award. "They knocked it out of the park," Empric said.
8. Winning Everything, Everywhere, All At Once: Hollywood, CA
The award for the Most Awards Won By A Film At The Screen Actors Guild was achieved this year by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's "Everything, Everywhere, All At Once," on Feb. 26, 2023.
According to Guinness, "the multiverse fantasy adventure picked up four 'Outstanding Performance' gongs on the night: Female Actor in a Leading Role (Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Quan Wang); Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Ke Huy Quan as Waymond Wang); Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Jamie Lee Curtis as Deirdre Beaubeirdre); and Cast in a Motion Picture (Curtis, James Hong, Stephanie Hsu, Quan, Harry Shum Jr, Jenny Slate, and Yeoh). Streamed live on Netflix?s YouTube channel, the ceremony was staged at Fairmont Century Plaza in California."
9. First First For Guinness: Leading Actor With Down Syndrome In An Oscar-Winning Film: Hollywood, CA
James Martin starred as Lorcan in the dark comedy, "An Irish Goodbye," which won Best Live Action Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards on March 12, 2023. According to Guinness, Martin was the first actor with Down syndrome to be awarded an Oscar statuette. He also won the award on his 31st birthday at the ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
"Martin went back to his part-time job working as a barista at the Belfast branch of coffee-house chain Starbucks after he had finished filming "An Irish Goodbye," a Guinness spokesperson said. "He is also a chef at an Italian restaurant."
Feats Of Strength In Athletics And Esports: 2023
10. Lowest Golf Score At A U.S. Open: Los Angeles, CA
Professional golfer Rickie Fowler and Xander Shauffele earned a 62, the lowest round golf score at the U.S. Open ever, according to Guinness.
Fowler and Shauffele attained the record as the Los Angeles Country Club on June 15, 2023.
"Fowler and Schauffele shot their record scores in the first round of the 2023 US Open," a Guinness spokesperson said. "The pair equaled the lowest score in any men?s major championship round, matching Branden Grace?s 62 at the 2017 Open Championships."
11. World's Largest Soccer Lesson: San Jose, CA
In June, the San Jose Earthquakes made a world-record attempt to host the world's largest soccer lesson.
A total of 956 joined retired Earthquakes player "Shea" Salinas in the class at the field in Morgan Hill, California. Salinas now works in the Earthquake's front office, according to Guinness.
12. Greatest Distance/Fastest 500 Kilometer Solo On Recumbent Bike: Vallejo, CA
Cyclist Sandy Earl set two new records in Vallejo in March, according to Guinness adjudicators. Earl set new records for the Greatest Distance Covered on a Road in 6 Hours by Recumbent Bike?a total of 113.05 miles on the Solano Loop. One month later, Earl set the fasted 500-kilometer solo road by recumbent, completing the feat in 18 hours, 47 minutes, and 42 seconds. This was accomplished during a 24-hour road attempt.
13. Arisa Trew - Youngest X Games Double Gold Medalist: July 23, 2023: Ventura, CA
The youngest double gold medallist at the X Games, held in Ventura County, was documented this year as Arisa Trew (Australia, borm April 5, 2010). Trew was 13 years and 109 days old when she medaled at the X Games on 23 July 2023.
A Guinness spokesperson said she won two gold medals in two days, claiming the Women?s Skateboard Vert title on 22 July, when she landed the first-ever 720 by a woman at the X Games. The next day, Trew claimed gold in Women?s Skateboard Park.
14. How Much Hockey Can You Play? NHL Videogame Marathon Game: San Jose, CA
Can you imagine playing a video game for over 24 hours? This group in San Jose, supported by SJSHarks Gaming, achieved that feat on Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 2023.
Aaron Fesh and Carlo Picchietti went head to head at the SAP Center in a live-streamed game on Twitch. Both were above age 16, which is the age restriction for this award.
15. Vallejo Video Game Winners: Three Friends Score Most Goals In Rocket League: Vallejo, CA
Three Rocket League players scored 144 points playing Rocket League on Feb. 5, 2023.
According to Guinness, Joseph Balocca, Ayanna Preston, and Crystal Balocca worked as a team to break the record. The game broke the record for most goals scored set in 2015.
Weird And Wonderful In 2023
16. Suleman Octuplets Turn 14 Years Old: Bellflower, CA
Do you remember when the octuplets were born in 2009? The eight babies? born to "Octo-mom" Nadya Suleman in 2009? turned 14 years old in January 2023, making them the Longest Surviving Octuplets in the World, according to Guinness.
Having eight 14-year-olds in the house is a rare feat.
"Suleman was a mother of six children when she conceived the octuplets," according to Guinness. "As of 2014, she was the mother of fourteen children."
17. Bending Over Backwards To Win A World Record: Fountain Valley, CA
Three Italians turned Fountain Valley residents?Angel Griffin, Lorenzo Tassinato, and Tanner Witt?attempted and achieved the award for Most Backward Somersaults Off A Person In A Prone Position In 30 Seconds(team), according to Guinness. The award was recorded in Fountain Valley on June 20, 2023.
18. How Fast Can You Complete A Rotating Puzzle? Long Beach, CA
Max Park completed a rotating puzzle in 3.13 seconds, setting a new Guinness World Record.
Park attempted the record for The Fastest Time To Solve A 3x3x3 Rotating Puzzle Cube at the Pride in Long Beach 2023 event in Long Beach, California, USA, on 11 June 2023.
19. Hold Your Breath For This Magic Trick: San Francisco, CA
The award for the Most Magic Tricks Performed Under Water In Three Minutes was broken this year at the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco on Nov. 11, 2023, Guinness reported.
Avery Emerson Fisher, a Bay Area teen, learned how to scuba dive during the pandemic to pass the time in quarantine.
She wanted to attempt this record on World Ocean Day at the Aquarium of the Bay to inspire others. She performed in 58-degree water while schools of fish swam around her. Lights and cameras recorded the feat, where she completed 38 magic tricks. Two witnesses, Craig and Liz Dickens, magicians, and magic trick designers, were present at the attempt. The previous record was 20 tricks, and rumor has it. She has some more up her sleeve should anyone try to top her.
20. Paper Planes Hit The Target: Fremont, CA
This year, a world record was broken in Fremont for the Most Times To Hit A Target With A Paper Aircraft In One Minute (team of two) on June 30, 2023, according to Guinness.
"The mother and son duo decided to attempt this record as Jai (son) is a very competitive person and was determined to achieve this record," they said. "Preeti reminds us that everything is possible with hard work, dedication, and positive motivation."
21. Mega Pizza Pie, Anyone? Los Angeles, CA
Youtuber Airrack joined Pizza Hut in Los Angeles to build the biggest pizza ever. The pie measured 13,957.77 square feet and fed multiple non-profit organizations afterward.
The event celebrated Pizza Hut?s Big New Yorker?s return to the menu and Airrack?s 10 million viewers. It was successfully baked and pieced together at the Los Angeles Convennonprofitr.
After the feat, the pizza was divided into pies and distributed to charities around Los Angeles. The ingredients for this pizza included 6,193 kilograms (13,653 pounds) of dough, 2,244 kilograms (4,948 pounds) of sweet marinara sauce, 3,992 kilograms (8,800 pounds) of cheese and roughly 630,496 pepperoni slices, according to Guinness.
The previous record was 13,580.57 square feet, set by NIP Food in Rome, Italy, in 2012.
22. Who Wants To Be A Billionaire? Biggest Powerball Prize Ever: Altadena, CA
The largest single jackpot won in a national lottery is $2.05 billion for a $2 Powerball ticket sold at the Joe's Service Center convenience store in Altadena. Though the ticket was drawn on Nov. 8, 2023, the winner was finally revealed in Feb. 2023 to be Edwin Castro.
He received his winnings as a single reduced lump sum just shy of $1 billion, a record $ 997.6 million. Before this, according to Guinness, the largest lottery prize was $1.58 billion, won in Jan. of 2016.
23. World's Oldest Mouse Born In Captivity Is Still Chasing The Cheese: San Diego, CA
According to Guinness, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to the world's oldest living mouse born in captivity. Patrick Stewart, the Pacific pocket mouse, was born on July 14, 2013, in the park's Pacific Pocket Mouse Breeding Facility.
Pat?s birth date has been confirmed via medical and animal record logs. According to Guinness, he was 9 years old and 9 years 180 days old on 10 January 2023.
According to zoo veterinarians, he has never sired a litter himself but still tries.
See previous years' California Guinness World Record winners on Patch:
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