A pitter-patter of toes from over 350 young ballerinas flooded the halls of New York City's Plaza Hotel last Wednesday, April 17, during their triumphant attempt to break the Guinness World Record for "Most Ballet Dancers En Pointe Simultaneously."
About the New World Record for Dancers En Pointe
Set up by the non-profit international youth ballet and contemporary dance competition and scholarship program, Youth America Grand Prix, the event saw 353 ballet dancers doing their best to surpass the previous record of 306 dancers en pointe.
The incredible feat not only requires the participants to posture up in the difficult position, with all of their body weight focused on concentrated areas on their toes, but they also need to maintain said form for a full minute to constitute breaking the record.
This amazing ability of pure balance is not something ballerinas develop overnight. Each dancer works on their en pointe technique for years before being able to remain perfectly still in the position for long periods.
Strength training, conditioning, and grit are all prerequisites before a dancer can attempt such a feat healthily, as the en pointe position can be strenuous to the feet and ankles.
During the attempt, an official representative from Guinness World Records was present to verify the validity and success of the feat. Afterward, the official announced to a room full of exhausted dancers that their attempt was successful.
Amanda Toledo, a 13-year-old dancer participating in the event, shared with the New York Post that she "screamed" and "clapped" after being notified of the result. Adding: " I was in shock. I'm feeling proud."
Toledo is one among other participants hailing from all over the globe, from the US to Japan, China to Germany, and even Portugal.
