It was not an eye-watering event for Samuel Grazette(second left) who gulped down a raw onion in 48 seconds, beating the world record of 1.29 seconds.

by MARIA BRADSHAW

FIVE BARBADIANS ate, ran and hopped their way to Guinness World Records on Saturday at the Barbados World Record Festival at the National Stadium.

Eighteen-year-old Rommel Griffith, an official turned competitor, claimed two of the prestigious records, while Samuel Grazette, 43, had spectators
wide-eyed when he gulped down a raw onion in 48 seconds.

Griffith set the stadium track on fire when he and Maria Rowe participated in the three-legged race over 100 metres. The two, who were tied together at the wrist and ankles, hopped so quickly down the track that it was difficult for the three other participating pairs to catch them.

They clocked in at 25.91 seconds and will have to wait to see if anyone else in the world can beat that time.

Griffith, of Checker Hall, St Lucy, who volunteered to assist in the festival, said he decided to become a competitor because not many Barbadians turned up to participate in the events. The former Coleridge and Parry School athlete ended up taking part in most of the events and even winning many of them. Although he did not break the records in some, he came very close.

Later in the afternoon, he hoisted his slimly-built 50-year-old mother Ulinda Griffith atop his back and broke the world record in the piggy back race over 100 metres. The previous record of 19 seconds was created in Britain – mother and son won it in 16.97.

Encouragement

An overjoyed Ulinda, who holds the record as the only Barbadian woman to place second in the Run Barbados 10K back in 1983 and who now participates in the Senior Games, said her son encouraged her to take part in the Barbados World Records.

The event of the day though was the onion-eating competition, which last year's pizza-eating Guinness Book record holder Nyron Weekes was hoping to swallow. This time around he was no eating match for Samuel Grazette.

It took only three big bites and it was all overin an amazing 48 seconds. The previous record was held by an Italian in 1.29 seconds.

Grazette, of Peterkin Land, Bank Hall, St Michael, said it was a piece of cake.

"I love anything that is raw. I have a good constitution for raw things because I eat a lot of herbs and vegetables. I will be breathing in people's faces all day," he smiled.

Andre Miller, who held the record in the one-legged race, failed to maintain it. He was beaten out bya fast-hopping Rommel Griffith but the time was still not good enough.

Co-ordinator Qaasen Sealy said he was pleased with the turnout, even though many Barbadians arrived late in the afternoon and most of the competitors were children and teenagers.

Sealy said he doubted anyone would be able to beat Grazettes' onion-eating time.

The participants will know next year if they make it into the Guinness Book Of World Records.

Proceeds went to the Hope For Children Charity.