Gympie teenager Clarry Farkash sets Guinness World Record

A Gympie teenager waited a nailbiting seven months before finding out he achieved a Guinness World Record for building a Lego world map, beating the previous record by two hours. Watch the video.

A Gympie teenager has taken the title of ‘Fastest time to build the Lego World Map’ in the Guinness World Records, despite a stressful few months of waiting to hear whether or not he was disqualified after having to add one missing Lego piece back to the map.

During the Gympie Show in May 2023, 17-year-old Clarry Farkash – a student of distance education through Jubilee Christian College – achieved the title with the support of his parents, church group and numerous volunteers.

In what was a feat of planning – from the Lego set up and practice, to organising a stall for him at the show, finding anonymous and official witnesses, and setting up multiple cameras and back-up cameras – the teenager managed to beat the previous record by a whole two hours – completing it at a total of 7 hours, 9 minutes and 41 seconds.

Clarry Farkash stands next to his completed Lego world map after beating the previous Guinness World Record by two hours. Clarry completed the map in 7 hours, 9 minutes and 41 seconds. He has waited seven months for the final verdict after he lost a single piece and had to restart. Picture: Supplied

However, when checking the map, a witness noticed one piece was missing, hoping this would not mean instant disqualification, Clarry restarted and added the missing piece.

“However, the video recording kept going right throughout, including the restart and adding of the missing piece,” his mother, Linda Farkash, said.

Clarry messaged Guinness asking for a pass, but it wasn’t until the night of November 2, 2023 when he heard back from the organisation granting him the prestigious title.

“Normally, once the stopwatch is stopped, that’s the end of the attempt,” Mrs Farkash said.

“We certainly are proud of him and just so relieved and thankful to God that whoever at Guinness that made the final decision.”

Clarry has one more final maths exam before he completes his high school certificate this year and has his eye on being a pilot, taking to the skies by plane or helicopter.

Congratulations to Clarry for achieving the record and all the best to achieving those dreams in the skies.