Massey University students break Guinness World Record for most arm-linked people to stand up simultaneously

A rainbow chain of 423 arm-linked Massey University students rose up simultaneously in a Guinness World Record breaking event at the Manawatu campus yesterday.

In a show of carefully coordinated timing and strength, students broke the current world record of 118 armed-linked people to stand up simultaneously by a huge margin.

One of O' Week's highlights, the world record attempt attracted hordes of mostly first year students. Participants had to practice the slightly tricky move of crouching back-to-back in two long rows, locking arms with the person next to them then lifting themselves to a standing position in sync with the crowd.

Massey has broken the world record for the number of people with linked arms to stand up simultaneously. Photo/supplied

Before the attempt, they watched athletes demonstrate the best technique to ensure mass success in this year's world record attempt, which has become a highlight for O' Week for the past four years.

The world record was 118, achieved by Charotar Education Society in India, on March 8 last year.

Organiser Jane McLaughlin, from the Manawatu Campus Events team, said this year's theme was chosen because it represents what can be achieved through team building and inclusiveness and is a fun, quirky way to make new friends in the first week of campus life for Massey students.

Alicia Jopson, a first year Food and Technology student from Morrinsville, said the event was fun, with the hardest part practising the link, lock and lift action before the official attempt.

The aim of the game was for everyone to link arms and stand simultaneously. Photo/supplied

Residential Assistant Kamie Veikoso, a third year student, said the event was "cool".

"It was great to be part of something involving so many people and to break the record."

The event was monitored and filmed - including drone footage - in accordance with Guinness World Record rules, which call for participants to be officially counted using an official clicker. Independent witnesses were Margaret Kouvellis, Tony Jensen and Vaughan Dennison.

In previous O' Weeks, Massey students have broken world records in apple bobbing, water sliding and gumboot throwing. This week's was the largest margin they surpassed the current record by.