We can’t monitor Cry-a-thon, GWR says as man goes blind attempting record

Guinness World Records has distanced itself from a Nigerian man, Tembu Ebere, who went partially blind after attempting to break a record for the longest crying marathon by an individual.

Ebere, who attempted to cry for seven days non-stop, revealed that he went partially blind for 45 minutes while attempting the challenge.

 In an interview with the BBC, he said, “I had to restrategize and reduce my wailing, adding that it was causing him headaches, puffy eyes, and a swollen face.”

Reacting to the development, the Guinness World Records said the attempt was not approved as there was no means to monitor such an attempt. 

The record body wrote, “Just to quell some recent rumors, we wouldn’t ever monitor a record for the longest marathon crying. Here’s what can be monitored by our team.”

According to the body, any record that poses a challenge to the well-being of people and animals cannot be approved, adding that endorsements of records are done in accordance with the body’s values and integrity.

“We assess all new record titles against our values of integrity, respect, inclusiveness, and passion. As such, we have a number of internal policies that all records must adhere to. For example, we do not endorse:

• Unsuitable activities or those which could cause potential harm or danger to spectators.
• Any records that endanger or harm animals.
• Excessive eating. All of our eating records are limited to short time periods and small quantities of food, such as the fastest time to eat three cream crackers.
• Food wastage. We require any record relating to food to follow strict policies regarding food consumption and donation.
• Any record involving the consumption of alcohol as part of drinking contests, binge drinking, or speed drinking.
• Illegal activities in pursuit of record-breaking.
• People under the age of 16 to attempt or hold records which are considered unsuitable for minors

The quest to break a Guinness World Record by Nigerians started following the success recorded by Nigerian chef Hilda Balci, who holds the record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, with a time of 93 hours and 11 minutes.