Guinness crowns Canberra town crier as the world's loudest person at 122.4 decibels
The Canberra town crier beat the previous mark by 0.7 decibels after seven attempts with the word “now,” Guinness World Records said.
- Canberra resident McGrail-Bateup set a world record for the loudest individual shout, reaching 122.4 decibels by yelling "now." Guinness World Records acknowledged the 58-year-old's accomplishment last week, surpassing the 121.7 dB record set by Annalisa Flanagan in 1994.
- Known as Lord Joseph, McGrail-Bateup became competitively loud after his 2017 appointment as Canberra's official town crier. His role includes membership in the Ancient and Honorable Guild of Australian Town Criers, dedicated to preserving historic and ceremonial duties.
- In 2019, he broke a speed record for shooting 10 arrows, though a 7-year-old boy shattered that record nine months later. McGrail-Bateup previously won a 2024 guild competition with his loudest "Oyez, Oyez, Oyez," at 98 dB.
- Acknowledging the distinction, McGrail-Bateup noted he considers himself the loudest male, while Flanagan remains the loudest female. "I'm pleased that she gets to keep her record," he said, emphasizing no competition between them.
- McGrail-Bateup stated he does not intend to train to keep the title, viewing the pursuit as "a bit of fun." He maintains that "records are meant to be broken" should anyone surpass his shout.
78 Articles
78 Articles
Man breaks world record for loudest person
Joseph McGrail-Bateup, an Australian professional air conditioner cleaner and honorary town crier, has been recognized as the world’s loudest person. Guinness World Records acknowledged the 58-year-old Canberra resident recorded the loudest ever shout by an individual. He yelled “now” at 122.4 decibels.
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Being referred to as a loud person isn’t always a compliment. But for a certain subset of people—the really, really loud, that is—it’s a skill they’re quite proud of. It can even bring them global recognition and, for at least one of them, a Guinness World Record. Australian “town crier” crowned World’s Loudest Believe it or not, The World’s Loudest Person is a record tracked by Guinness World Records. For decades, it was held by one woman: an I…
After more than 30 years, someone has finally surpassed Northern Irish teacher Annalise Flanagan. Joseph McGrail-Bateup screamed the word "now" at 122.4 decibels, earning him the Guinness Book of Records title of the loudest person in the world.
An Australian town crier has literally screamed his way into the history books. Joseph McGrail-Bateup (58) from Canberra was officially declared the loudest man in the world after reaching an astonishing 122.4 decibels with one deafening cry.
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