Joseph McGrail-Bateup can really scream loudly.Image: keystone
Joseph McGrail-Bateup from Australia has set an unusual world record: The 58-year-old is now considered the loudest person in the world. His record-breaking scream reached 122.4 decibels.
June 24, 2026, 7:39 p.mJune 24, 2026, 7:43 p.m
Joseph McGrail-Bateup has an organ that can apparently keep up with even planes taking off. How CNN Citing the AP news agency, the Australian was recognized by Guinness World Records as the loudest person in the world.
The 58-year-old from Canberra screamed the word “now” during his record attempt and reached 122.4 decibels. In doing so, he beat the previous record set by Annalisa Flanagan from Northern Ireland. In 1994, the teacher reached 121.7 decibels with the word “quiet”.
Voice weakened for days afterwards
122 decibels is roughly in the range of a chainsaw, a jet taking off or an ambulance siren at close range. You can hardly train for such a record, said McGrail-Bateup. Rather, you have to save your voice for the decisive day.
It took him seven attempts to break his record before he could scream. After that, his voice was broken for several days. “She was hoarse. “It was terrible,” he said, according to the AP.
“Lord Joseph” exclaims in Canberra
McGrail-Bateup works full-time as an air conditioning cleaner. He is also an honorary town crier for Canberra. In this role he appears under the name “Lord Joseph” and makes announcements at community events, school festivals and car shows.
He came across the previous record when he was looking for possible records for town crier at Guinness. He didn’t find a suitable record, but he did find the one for the loudest scream.
Not his first world record
However, McGrail-Bateup does not see himself as the loudest person in the world, but as the loudest man. He is happy that Annalisa Flanagan can keep her record as the loudest woman.
It’s not his first entry into the record books. Back in 2019, he set an archery speed record when he shot ten arrows in 60.03 seconds. Nine months later, this record was beaten by more than eleven seconds by a seven-year-old boy.
McGrail-Bateup also doesn’t want to defend his new screaming record at any cost. If someone surpasses him, that’s fine with him. After all, records are there to be broken. (mke)