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The world's record for multiple sword swallowers swallowing multiple swords was initially set on Friday, August 30, 2002 during SSAI's first "Big Swallow" at the first Sideshow Gathering and Sword Swallowers Convention when 19 of the world's top sword swallowers simultaneously swallowed 46 swords before an audience of sideshow industry experts, historians, performers, fans and international media. The group's mass record was broken a few minutes later when the 19 sword swallowers successfully gulped down a total of 50 blades simultaneously on their second attempt, thereby setting the current standing world's record.
While helping set the group world record, belly dancing sword swallower Natasha Veruschka from New York set the individual women's record by swallowing 11 swords at once, while Dai Andrews from Baltimore set the men's individual record by swallowing 11 swords in one swallow.
The number of sword swallowers and swords was audited by a local accounting firm, verified by veteran sideshow owner Ward Hall, and confirmed by sideshow historian James Taylor. The historic event was filmed by Shocked and Amazed TV for the Travel Channel, and witnessed by attendees, international media and CNN viewers around the world on CNN International.
In August 2003 at the 2nd Annual Sideshow Gathering and Sword Swallowers Convention, SSAI unsuccessfully attempted to break its previous record with only 17 sword swallowers successfully swallowing a total of 32 swords at the same time. Natasha Veruschka broke her previous women's record to set her personal best by swallowing 12 swords at once. The event was witnessed by sideshow industry experts and fans, and filmed for the television documentary "Stomachs of Steel" which aired on the Discovery Channel in July 2004.
On Friday, Sept. 2, SSAI members will again attempt to break the current SSAI and Guinness World Record at the 4th Annual Sideshow Gathering and Sword Swallowers Convention. Several new and veteran sword swallowers are slated to attend and attempt to break the standing world record before an audience of fellow sideshow industry performers, historians, and fans. "We're excited about the response this year, and we're optimistic about breaking the 2002 world records, as well as hopefully setting several new sword swallowing records never attempted before!" says SSAI executive director Dan Meyer. Additional individual world record attempts will be made on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 4 for those sword swallowers and other sideshow performers who would like to attempt to set or break their own personal records.The art of sword swallowing started over 4000 years ago in India and the Middle East, and requires the practitioner to use mind-over-matter techniques to control the body and repress natural reflexes in order to insert up solid steel blades from 15 to 25 inches down the esophagus and into the stomach.
With the demise of the traveling circus sideshow over the past 30 years, there are currently less than 40 full-time professional sword swallowers actively performing the ancient but deadly art of sword swallowing around the world today.
The Sword Swallowers Association International is based in Nashville, TN and is comprised of sword swallower members from around the world.For more information: www.swordswallow.org (SSAI)www.swordswallow.com today.
