19-year-old Erik Kloeker of Florence, KY recently returned from his record-breaking trip to Europe with not one, but TWO new Guinness World Records. Kloeker broke the records while on the set of the Guinness World Records Television Show in Milan, Italy.During his international debut Kloeker set his sights on breaking the record for “Juggling While Suspended Upside-Down.” His first attempt was met with enormous success as Kloeker set the new Guinness World Record for juggling upside-down at 5 minutes even, smashing the previous record of 4 minutes and 5 seconds by an incredible 55 seconds.
“Upside-down juggling is no easy matter,” said Kloeker's manager and brother Travis Fessler. "Upside-down juggling requires an incredible amount of abdominal strength as well as concentration to overcome the disorienting effect of being inverted.”
Kloeker was not satisfied with breaking just one record - he was determined to bring a second Guinness World Record back home with him. On the third day of his trip, Kloeker met up with Thomas Blackthorne, an Italian sword swallower and the blacksmith of the “Sword of Swords”, a sword that has been swallowed by more sword swallowers than any other object according to Guinness World Records. Kloeker set his second Guinness World Record by becoming the 37th sword swallower in the world to stomach the famous “Sword of Swords.”
“I’m glad to hear that Erik swallowed the ‘Sword of Swords’,” said Dan Meyer, President of the Sword Swallowers Association International. “We’re proud that Erik has joined our very elite group of sword swallowers who have set a Guinness World Record in sword swallowing!”Kloeker said of his overseas experience, “It was a pleasure to be on the Guinness TV Show, I feel truly honored to be on the same episode as the world’s tallest man, shortest man, and so many others with such extraordinary talents, but I feel even more honored to be able to consider these people my friends.”
The record attempts took place at Guinness World Records' television studios in Milan, Italy , and were officiated by Guinness World Records adjudicator Marco Frigatti, who verified that all official Guinness World Record guidelines were followed.Kloeker is a world champion juggler, as well as an accomplished fire-eater, comedian, and holds the title for being the world's youngest sword swallower. He has been performing professionally with the Pickled Brothers Circus Sideshow at venues nationwide for over 6 years since teaching himself to juggle at the age of 13. Kloeker became interested in breaking world records in 2007.