Circus performer Charlotte “Charli” Meath has officially secured two Guinness World Records, demonstrating an incredible display of strength and endurance on the aerial hoop. The 23-year-old Australian, who has been training in circus arts for nine years, powered through pain and exhaustion to set the new benchmarks at her gym in Geelong, Victoria, on May 26, 2024.
Meath’s first record-breaking feat was for the most aerial hoop somersaults in one minute (female). She performed a dizzying 53 somersaults, also known as elbow rolls, in just 60 seconds. The skill, which involves spinning through the hoop, is one she has been perfecting for years. “I definitely get dizzy, I could barely stand up after it,” she said, adding that her arms also went numb during the attempt.
After that whirlwind performance, she immediately took on her second challenge: the longest duration shoulder blade hang on aerial hoop. In this agonizing test of strength, Meath hung from the hoop using only her shoulder blades, a move she described as “just about hanging there.” She endured the intense discomfort for 63.18 seconds, a new record that surpassed the previous mark.
Throughout the challenging day, Meath credits her friends, family, and coach who were cheering her on. “I could hear everyone cheering me on and yelling my name so I just had to keep going and keep pushing,” she said. “When I got tired I didn’t think about that. I just thought ‘go, go, go, push, push, push’.”
Meath’s success is a testament to her mental and physical discipline, and she hopes her record-breaking journey will inspire others to pursue their passions.
