Sword Swallowing – Double Guinness World Record Holder
Welcome back!
World renowned Natasha Veruschka won Guinness immortality by swallowing 13 swords for which the belly dancer nearly died of her injuries of a severe hemorrhage — a bystander pushed dollar bills into her belt, triggering 3 blades in her throat to scissor.
Natasha won her 2nd world title in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She and 8 sword swallowers of the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) broke the 2002 SSAI and Guinness World Record by simultaneously swallowing a total of 52 swords on September 3, 2005 at the ‘Big Swallow’ annual sideshow.
Born in India of white Russian and British descent, the world’s only sword swallowing belly dancer has lived, studied, and performed her art around the world, and currently lives in New York City. Natasha Veruschka trained for the art with ‘Sai Master’ John Bradshaw of Bradshaw’s Circus World of Curiosities.
The ‘Neon Sword’ is the most dangerous on her ‘Swords on the Menu’ — 24 inches of glass and poison gas.
Natasha presently holds 7 sword swallowing
world records:
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1. Guinness World Record — the most swords swallowed at once — thirteen 22 inch (55 centimeters) long swords
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2. Guinness World Record — the most swords swallowed at once by a group (52). Natasha downed 11 swords
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3. SSAI World Record — longest sword swallowed by a female — 27.5 inches (69 centimeters) long
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4. SSAI World Record — the only female ‘Neon Sword Swallower’ — 24 inches (60 centimeters) long
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5. SSAI World Record — the only female ‘Sai Weapon Sword Swallower’ 24 inches (60 centimeters) long
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6. SSAI World Record — the most swords swallowed simultaneously — thirteen 22 inch (55 centimeters) long swords)!
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7. SSAI World Record — the most swords simultaneously swallowed by a group (50). Natasha swallowed 11 swords
The ‘World Class Belly Dancer’ has won scores of national and international belly dancing contests. The dance is but one of many reasons her shows are so widely received.
Natasha has been featured by CNN, HBO, MTV, The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, and National Geography to name but a few.
Natasha swallows seven swords at once in her ‘Sword Sandwich’ performance, then removes them one by one.
The art of sword swallowing began more than 4000 years ago in India and the Middle East. It requires fierce mind-over-matter to control the body and repress natural reflexes in order to insert the solid steel blades from 15 to 25 inches down the esophagus and into the stomach.
With the demise of the traveling circus sideshow over the past 30 years, there are currently less than 40 full-time professional sword swallowers actively performing the ancient but deadly art around the world today.
Le Scandal & Natasha Veruschka – The Cutting Room
August 4, 2007 – Le Scandal’s Eric of Esoterica eating razor blades & Natasha Veruschka sword swallowing at the Cutting Room
in New York City.
Special thanks to Kim Barker of Laketrees for the inspiration for this post.
Related stories:
Sword Swallowing – How the Amazing Feat is Performed
lg Nobel Awards 2007
Wow, I have always found sword swallowing an incredible feat… I would imagine that it is very dangerous if they do not use dull swords… however most of them do. I wonder if anyone ever sneezed with one of those in their belly? How do you get the idea to try it in the first place? hah
Amazing story but it’s horrible to contemplate! I got to the bit about ‘scissoring’ and had to stop reading for a while – eek!
great story and pics Deborah
I love the black and white one
thanks for the linky :-X
It certainly wouldn’t be my first choice of profession Perros
Many become imjured, and they can’t perform their art numerous times daily as many other forms of entertainers would.
It’s not for the weak of stomach, that’s for sure Diane. I’d have a difficult time watching it live if something were to happen as it did to Natasha.
The black and white pic is one of my faves too Kim. And the linky love is the least I could do in thanks for your lead
I once knew a girl who ……….oh never mind.
Haha, I’m not going to ask, Nitropuppy
THanks for the great article on Natasha! Yes, she is one of the top female sword swallowers in the world, and a dear friend of mine! It was an honor to stand next to her when we broke the Guinness World Record in 2005. We just got certified as a GWR when then 9 of us swallowed a total of 52 swords at once – Natasha swallowed 13 and I swallowed 7. She is a great person and an awesome performer, and if you ever get the chance to see her perform, DO IT!
Thanks again
All the best,
Dan Meyer
Dan@swordswallow.com
Executive Director
Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI)
http://www.swordswallow.org
http://www.swordswallow.com
So nice of you to drop by Dan
I would have loved to see your group performance in 2005. I can well imagine how exciting it must have been for all of you.
And congrats to you on your recent lg Nobel Prize Award
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wow, that is amazing ! Does anyone have any idea how they do that ?
amazing. truly amazing. great pics.
This is freaking stuff. I wanted to know how such people are able to swallow that big swords. Is there any kind of trick out there. Am not sure what, but this is really great.
sleep disorders can also lead to other health issues like cardiovascular disorders”.`