Everyday is a surprise for Wu Xiaohong.
"You'll never know what will happen and what strange people you might meet from day to day," said Wu, a Guinness Book of World Records liaison officer in China, reputedly the country's first.
During the past three years she has witnessed the admirable, courageous, determined and often bizarre antics of mankind.
"I've watched a man spinning a basketball on his finger for four hours, enjoyed famous melodies played by over 1,000 people at one location, and been present at the unveiling ceremony of a piece of bean curd which weighs 20 tons, and shared taste of it with almost 20,000 people," says Wu, who during the average day receives scores of phone calls and e-mails from people saying that they want to break records, be it from the oldest man or from marathon karaoke singers.
And then there are the personal callers who come knocking at her door to show off their special talents such as the man playing three flutes at once...or two via his nostrils.
"This is the most colorful job I have ever had," says Wu.
Life used to be normal, she adds. Wu was once an English teacher at the University of Shenyang in the capital city of Northeast China's Liaoning Province. Part-time, she worked for the Liaoning Education Press, which was authorized to print the Guinness Records. That was in the late 1990s. In 2001 she quit her teaching post and joined the newly established Guinness application center full-time, editing for 2002 Guinness Book of World Records (GBWR). In 2003, the Liaoning Education Publication Company was authorized to collect, compile and announce record takers and holders for GBWR. Wu was in charge of communications with the Guinness headquarters. She speaks fluent English, of course.
Wu has subsequently become somewhat shock proof.
"Now I can put up with the incredible calmly. My nerves have been forged as strong as steel wire," she said.
However, she recalls with clarity the first record she recorded. In 2002, she entered the office to find a senior citizen sat on a chair with an expectant air. The unexpected guest announced he wanted to apply for the record of performing the longest headstand in the world.
The 90-year-old promptly began his world record attempt there and then. "All the staff were scared stiff," says Wu. "I tried to convince the man to give up and told him there was no such item in the Guinness Records because it was too dangerous."
Looking up to her from his acute angle, the man took on board the news and after a while ruminating the health hazards, gave up his challenge.
Wu's professionalism was polished off at a two-month training in London in May last year.
"The GBWR headquarters believes China has great potential. I've been chosen for the job to find, or invite that potential for record holding or beating, to come forward to be countered."
She recalls her trip to London. "I walked into the headquarters of GBWR and walked into a world of fascination," she says. "The training was hard, but interesting."
Wu had to learn all the tricks of the world record trade. She was put through more than 20 training programs, covering all the business aspects of GBRW. Researching and invigilating -- witnessing and refereeing -record attempts make up the core of her work.
"The most useful training was the weekly meeting of researchers," she said. At these meetings she learned the strict rules of record making -- and why many claims are rejected.
After work she usually spent many happy hours with the Guinness people in pubs, chatting mainly about the unusual things concerning the records.
But it is the opportunity to become part of a special moment that makes her job so fascinating, she says.
"The passion of those who apply to break or make a record is the most important and endearing thing," says Wu.
In June last year, the Guangdong Literature and Art Association contacted her about what was to become Wu's first assignment. The oldest opera actor-cum-singer Luo Pinchao, 93, was preparing to celebrate the 74th anniversary of his first public performance.
Her first job was to check out Luo's background, and interview colleagues about his career.
After everything had been checked and doubled checked, authenticated and researched again, Wu awarded Luo the title of "oldest opera actor in the world" on June 20, 2004.
"The feeling was great. Taking part in the creation of a world record beats anything," said Wu.
(China Daily January 14, 2005)
