JAPAN: World champion of paper airplane flying challenges his own record

Record ID: 467151

  • Title: JAPAN: World champion of paper airplane flying challenges his own record
  • Date: 12th February 2010
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (FEBRUARY 11, 2010) (REUTERS) TAKUO TODA, PAPER AIRPLANE FLYING WORLD CHAMPION, PRACTICING IN HANGAR OF CARGO PAPER AIRPLANE GLIDING IN THE AIR TODA LOOKING AT HIS PAPER AIRPLANE FLYING BOX FILLED WITH PAPER AIRPLANES PROTECTED BY PLASTIC PANELS TODA PUTTING HIS PAPER AIRPLANE BETWEEN TWO PLASTIC PANELS PAPER AIRPLANE BEING PUT IN THE BOX (SOUNDBITE) (
  • Embargoed: 27th February 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVAV9U1PY396S8DGY9W847S8SYV
  • Story Text: Takuo Toda is a man with a mission - a mission to fly as high and as long as possible with paper aeroplanes.
    Already a world champion in the field of paper airplane flying, Toda on Thursday (February 11) was challenging his own record of 27.91 seconds set in May 2009.
    But Toda, who is also the president of Japanese Paper Airplane Association, was not quite optimistic from the start.
    "It's 50-50. The air is too humid," Toda said as he carefully picked a plane out of the 16 he carries around in a sealed plastic box.
    His trial was witnessed by over 70 members of the public and official record keepers who where verifying his efforts for the Guiness World Records.
    And Toda spared no effort as he tweaked his 4 gram (0.14 ounces) paper planes so differently at every try in order to account for the heavy humidity in the air from the pouring rain outside on the tarmac.
    Ultimately while some of his planes soared to above 20 metres (66 feet) up in the air, none stayed afloat longer than 22 seconds in the 10 tries allowed by the Guiness World Record rules - well below his previous record.
    Undeterred, Toda said he was ready to try break his own record again soon in better conditions.
    "The air was heavy because of humidity. I felt the wings vibrating rapidly when I threw, which made it difficult for the plane to glide for long time. Regretfully, the record couldn't be extended this time, but I'll get it done in near future," said Toda.
    Toda however did manage to inspire the audience, many who tried to outdo the origami plane maestro.
    "It was interesting because I could manipulate the way it flew," said five-year old Rikuto Sakaida, who added it was as fun as playing with a video game.
    Paper airplane flying has become a competitive sport in some European and Asian countries including Japan, where as many as hundred people participate in regional contests. France, Germany, the Philippines and Thailand are among many. Nine out of the top-ten longest glides have been set by Japanese.
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