Swiss sets 'record' for ripping fat phone book
A Zurich man is credited with setting a world record for tearing in two the Munich phone book — a 1,551-page directory — in 9.3 seconds.
Albert Walter accomplished the feat on Sunday during an event at a stadium in Leiria, Portugal, 20 Minuten newspaper reported on Monday.
Walter previously made a name for himself by ripping the New York phone book (1,400 pages) in two in 2.4 seconds.
“Compared to the New York directory the one for Munich is a real challenge,” he told 20 Minuten.
“It’s the thickest of its type and as well, it is of excellent quality, which makes it very difficult to tear apart.”
Walter said before the event he was doubtful about breaking a world record because he had been sick for two weeks, a period duding which he couldn’t train.
“At the beginning I didn’t want to go to Portugal,” said the Swiss man, who is 178 centimetres tall and weighs 93 kilograms.
“Happily, I changed my mind.”
Walter, who claims to have ripped up at least one phone book a week since he was 15, said it takes force, a good technique and concentration to tear a phone book in two.
He attributed his “success” to “all the long years of intensive training”.
Here's a video showing Walter setting another record — for speed — while tearing a smaller phone book in two (without using his knee):
Comments
See Also
Albert Walter accomplished the feat on Sunday during an event at a stadium in Leiria, Portugal, 20 Minuten newspaper reported on Monday.
Walter previously made a name for himself by ripping the New York phone book (1,400 pages) in two in 2.4 seconds.
“Compared to the New York directory the one for Munich is a real challenge,” he told 20 Minuten.
“It’s the thickest of its type and as well, it is of excellent quality, which makes it very difficult to tear apart.”
Walter said before the event he was doubtful about breaking a world record because he had been sick for two weeks, a period duding which he couldn’t train.
“At the beginning I didn’t want to go to Portugal,” said the Swiss man, who is 178 centimetres tall and weighs 93 kilograms.
“Happily, I changed my mind.”
Walter, who claims to have ripped up at least one phone book a week since he was 15, said it takes force, a good technique and concentration to tear a phone book in two.
He attributed his “success” to “all the long years of intensive training”.
Here's a video showing Walter setting another record — for speed — while tearing a smaller phone book in two (without using his knee):
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.