Lankan in Canada sets Guinness record by watching TV for 72 hours

Sri Lankan-born, Toronto-based Suresh Joachim, who already has 53 Guinness records to his credit, added yet another on Sunday by watching television non-stop for 72 hours in Stockholm.

In the process, the 39-year-old broke his own previous record of 69 hours and 48 minutes established in September 2005 at the ABC studios in New York.

A holder of many Guinness records, Joachim was invited by Sweden's television TV4 network to compete against a Swedish challenger.

The shy unassuming Joachim, who lives with his wife in the city of Mississauga on the outskirts of Toronto, said he spent his time watching episodes of a drama series and drinking cups of coffee.

His record-breaking feat began at 8 p.m. on Thursday and ended on Sunday evening. Joachim said attempts were made by other people to break the record during the past three years, but nobody succeeded.

Before leaving Toronto for Stockholm, Joachim said he was approached by the Swedish television network to compete with a Swedish challenger.

Major records in his name include the longest karaoke marathon (25 hours, 49 minutes), the longest radio broadcast (120 hours), the longest time standing on one foot (76 hours, 40 minutes), and the longest bout of ironing clothes (55 hours, five minutes).