Whether it’s hovering in a helicopter two kilometres above the ground watching a bungee jump over the south of France, or measuring 128 metres of pita bread as it slides out of an oven in Qatar, it’s the sheer variety of record-breaking that captivates Guinness World Records adjudicator Talal Omar.  “My family love it!  Every week when I prepare my suitcase to travel to an adjudication everyone will be around me wondering where I am off to this time and what record I am attending.”

Talal, 29, a native of Sana’a, Yemen, comes to the Guinness World Records adjudication team via schooling in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, and a degree in chemical and process engineering in England.  An unlikely background for a career in adjudications, perhaps, but Guinness World Records has been in his blood since childhood.  “I was always a big fan of GWR, especially the TV show which was one of my favourite programmes.”

Based in London, Talal adjudicates record attempts around the globe, but specialises in adjudications that take place in the Middle East – appropriately, as he is fluent in both English and Arabic.   “The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing areas for record-breaking in the world.  The development across the region is astonishing and of course this lends itself very naturally to record-breaking.  The people are passionate about working together to be the best at what they do – such as the team from Al Jana bakers in Qatar, who successfully made the longest pita bread in the world.   Their teamwork, spirit, organization and passion to break the record was brilliant. And of course I love the sun and the warm weather. And the Arabic food.”  

And what does Talal like best about Guinness World Records?  “You will never have the same day twice. No matter how many adjudications you attend and how experienced you are, you have this buzz every time.  I really enjoy witnessing ordinary people challenging themselves and achieving their records.”