MELBOURNE, Australia — A Canberra-based town crier has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s loudest person after producing a 122.4-decibel shout, according to reporting by the Associated Press.
Joseph McGrail-Bateup, a 58-year-old Australian air conditioner cleaner and honorary town crier, achieved the record after shouting the word “now” during a controlled attempt recorded on May 2 in a Canberra radio studio. The measurement, verified by an acoustic engineer and witnesses, surpassed the previous record of 121.7 decibels set in 1994 by Northern Ireland schoolteacher Annalisa Flanagan.
Guinness World Records confirmed the achievement last week, noting that the sound level reached is comparable to the noise of a chainsaw, a jet aircraft at takeoff, or an ambulance siren at close range.
McGrail-Bateup said the attempt required multiple efforts and could not be meaningfully practiced in advance. “There’s no way that you can actually practice for it. You have to just keep it for the day,” he said, adding that his voice was left strained for days after the attempt.
He said it took seven attempts before he successfully produced the record-breaking shout. “My voice was shot for the next couple of days as well,” he said.
The Canberra resident, who serves as an honorary town crier known locally as “Lord Joseph,” said he views his achievement as distinct from Flanagan’s record. He described himself as the loudest man rather than the loudest person, allowing Flanagan’s record to remain the benchmark for women.
McGrail-Bateup said he discovered Flanagan’s record while researching competitive town crying, a traditional ceremonial role in which criers announce public information at events.
He was appointed official town crier of Australia’s capital in 2017, a voluntary role created by local authorities for ceremonial and community functions. He regularly appears at school events, fairs, and public gatherings to make announcements.
His role also placed him within the Ancient and Honorable Guild of Australian Town Criers, a professional association that preserves the historic tradition. In 2024, he won a guild competition with a 98-decibel call of “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez,” a traditional proclamation used to command attention.
For his world record attempt, McGrail-Bateup tested several words before settling on “now,” which he said proved most effective for maximum vocal projection.
McGrail-Bateup has previously held another world record, including a 2019 archery speed record for shooting 10 arrows in 60.03 seconds. That record was surpassed months later by a young competitor.
Despite his achievements, he said he is not focused on maintaining records. “If someone beats me, that’s fantastic,” he said. “Records are meant to be broken.”
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
