Tattoo artist Derek Kastning’s glory didn’t last long. Kastning’s world record of 726 tattoos in 24 hours, set barely a week ago, has already been broken by John “Joker” McManus of West Monroe, Louisiana.
Hundreds stood in line for hours from noon on Friday until noon on Saturday outside Joker Tattoo Shop to receive one of the record-breaking tattoos inked by McManus. His design of choice was a two-inch by two-inch star, which he tattooed onto 775 people at a breakneck pace – at one point completing a tattoo every 45 seconds. His speedy tattoo-gun slinging helped him secure not only the record for the most tattoos performed in 24-hours but also a second world record: 331 tattoos in an eight-hour period, beating the original record of two-hundred-and-forty.
Unsurprisingly McManus was said to be “sleep-deprived and physically exhausted” as he drew the final star on his wife, Shelina, at the end of the 24-hour period, but was still all smiles and choked-back tears as he took his hard-earned place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Thankfully 775 people don’t all have identical, hastily done tattoos for the sole purpose of being part of a record, which – if this past week goes to show – is unlikely to stand the test of time. All of the money made from the event will benefit the Ouachita Humane Society, Toys for Tots and the Louisiana Cerebral Palsy Foundation.