| It is official: IUJ Sets a New Guinness World Record |
Public Relations
May. 31, 2007 |
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| Students at the party proudly holding the Guinness Certificate |
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Guinness judges announced on May 26 that IUJ’s world record breaking attempt of May 14 would go into the history books!* The record is for the category “Most Nationalities in a Sauna” set at Yuraiya Spa in Nagaoka on May 14, 2007 with 50 nationalities in the Sauna for over 5 minutes. The date of the record breaking attempted marked IUJ's 25th Anniversary. The previously set record was made on Oct. 2004 and stood at 38 nationalities.
“There is a real sense of cooperation and accomplishment today! This is a fun thing, but global cooperation needs to be fostered somewhere, and where better else than at IUJ” said IUJ staff member Gretchen Shinoda who provided logistics support to the students.
The official certificate reached campus on May 29, and a fun gathering of participants, dressed in celebratory T-shirts took place Thursday, May 31, 12:10-12:30 on campus. Every participant together with President Sugihara and all involved celebrated this achievement with Champaign and poppers.
What's the story?
Fifty IUJ students, representing 50 different nationalities, entered a Sauna at Yuraiya in Nagaoka at about 8:45am on a bright Monday morning. One by one, flashing their passports and calling out their nationality and name, the students paraded into the Stadium Sauna to take their place in history. Some waving their country’s flag, some with the flag painted on their chests and carrying something from home, the jovial group announced they were ready for the challenge, and with a shout of “Good Luck” the door was closed and the stop watch started.
Minute by minute was marked by a loud whistle until the 5 minute mark approached. Then, from inside and outside the Sauna a major countdown started. 3 -2 -1 and the chorus of 50 voices rang out in cheers of delight. But the fun had just begun. Students remained inside the Sauna for more cheers and photos, only asking for the door to be opened at the 6 minute 40 second mark.
One by one, they streamed out of the Sauna greeted by TV cameras from all the major stations. Into the IUJ video camera they again announced their nationality and name, and then gathered in the outside courtyard for victory cheers!
The event witnesses, Mayor Ichiro Iguchi of Minami Uonuma City where IUJ is located, and the Mr. Shigeru Tsuchida Minami Uonuma City promotional bureau chief, plus the 2 nurses who volunteered their time to be with the group, joined in the celebratory photos with the IUJ banners showing proudly.
After changing, and reboarding the bus, the students from Egypt remarked “Now it is back to class, and preparations for a test tomorrow.”
Student event organizer Jay Wong from Singapore worked hard for the follow up collecting media clips, website video feature links, and ensuring all the documentation was ready to go. With a small prayer documentation was expressed to the Guinness headquarters, and a fast track application was made. Just in time for the major campus event, ASEAN-Japan Night, the Guinness judges revealed their decision: IUJ is now the world record holder for “Most Nationalities in a Sauna.”
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