DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
A participant in the inaugural litter clean-up ‘World Cup’. PICTURE: Screenshot via Reuters TV
• Participants from 21 countries gathered to compete in the the inaugural litter clean-up ‘World Cup’ in Tokyo recently. Known as ‘SpoGomi’ – a combination of the Japanese words for sport and trash, the competition saw participants compete by aiming to pick up the most trash in 90 minutes. Petra Williams, a participant from Australia, said the contest was “a great opportunity to come to Japan to learn about the culture but also in a wider spectrum, it’s really important for us to all have responsibility to look after our planet”. Mitsuyuki Unno, executive director of the organising body, The Nippon Foundation, said the cup was aimed at helping “people who are not yet aware of the marine waste problem realize the situation of litter in the ocean”. “The second purpose of this event is to actually provide opportunities for people who become aware of the issue and want to take some actions”. England took home the 2023 title. The next SpoGomi World Cup is expected in 2025. – with Reuters
Paul Swift makes his world record attempt at UK motor racing course Silverstone. PICTURE: Screenshot via Reuters
• Talented people around the globe who have been busy breaking records doing all kinds of things from pogo-sticking to hand skipping were celebrated on Guinness World Records Day earlier this month. In the UK, Paul Swift got set up at famous motor racing course Silverstone and set a new world record for the tightest gap driven through by a pick up truck on two wheels. After he squeezed through the gap of 88cm Swift said he felt “fantastic”. “I’ve been driving on two wheels since the age of seven – I started on the garden lawnmower – so to get a World Record that recognises that is fantastic,” he said. Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday, who was on hand to adjudicate Swift’s attempt, said Guinness World Records Day – which takes place annually on 16th November – was a “global celebration of the superlative, it’s a chance for you to attempt a Guinness World Records title”. “The theme this year is ‘super skills’ – you’ve seen what Paul can do – even if you haven’t got his level of skills, we’ve got skills and challenges for you to try at home.” Other record breakers include a team in Japan who skipped on their hands – and broke the record for the most consecutive double-dutch style handstand skips, team of two. There was joy in China for Zhou Quan who limbered up and set a new record for the most consecutive leg full twist back somersaults, doing 11 in a row. Meanwhile in America Henry Cabelus now currently holds eight records, after he achieved the highest backflip pogo stick jump, making it over a height of 3.07m. “I feel pretty good about that, that just makes me want to go for 10 now. So I’ve got to start thinking about the other ones,” he said. – with Reuters
Lion Gjon walks as the bear sanctuary is covered with the first snow in Mramor, near the capital Pristina, Kosovo, on 25th November, 2023. PICTURE: ReutersREUTERS/Valdrin Xhemaj
• Workers at a bear sanctuary in Pristina have been working hard to look after a lion that wants to play in the snow. As the winter’s first snowfall blanketed Pristina Bear Sanctuary in the Kosovan capital, visitors enjoyed the sight of a lion playing before quickly taking shelter indoors where a heater was installed to fend off temperatures which fell below freezing. “We know that this is not their perfect environment to survive but we have created a nice place for the winter and we have installed a heater that helps him a lot because big cats need much warmer temperatures,” Albana Hoti, head of animal and facilities management at the sanctuary, told Reuters. The lion, named Gjon, was rescued last year from a local restaurant where it was kept to amuse clients. It is expected to be transported to South Africa once legal hurdles are overcome. The sanctuary, home to 20 brown bears, is managed by Four Paws International, a non-profit dedicated to animal welfare. The bears have a similar story to Gjon’s, in that they were caged in local restaurants – having been removed from local forests – before being rescued. – With FATOS BYTYCI, Marmor, Kosovo/Reuters
