The desire to push boundaries and set new records is a powerful human trait. When an adult achieves something extraordinary, we applaud. But when a child or teenager shatters a world record, it’s truly awe-inspiring! These young individuals show us that age is just a number when it comes to talent, determination, and making history. Get ready to meet ten of the youngest and most remarkable world record breakers who achieved incredible feats before many even finish school.
10 Tucker Roussin
Can you imagine breaking a world record before you’re even born? That’s exactly what Tucker Roussin did! In 2013, doctors discovered that Tucker, then a 24-week-old fetus, had a rare and dangerous heart condition. A tumor was growing rapidly on the sac lining his heart. Time was critical, as doctors estimated he had only about a week to live.
In an incredible medical feat, a team of surgeons at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia performed open-heart surgery on Tucker while he was still in his mother’s womb. They carefully accessed Tucker’s chest and arm through an incision in his mother’s uterus to remove the tumor. This groundbreaking procedure made Tucker Roussin the youngest person ever to undergo open-heart surgery. He was born healthy 14 weeks later, already a record holder!
9 Julian Pavone
Meet Julian Pavone from Detroit, Michigan, a drumming prodigy who set the world record as the youngest professional drummer at just four years old. He achieved this milestone after his 20th live performance in 2009. His musical journey began incredibly early, at only three months old, when he’d drum while sitting on his father’s lap. His father nurtured this interest with daily practice.
Julian’s talents don’t stop at music. He’s also a record-setting inventor, holding patents for inventions like the Abracadabra Stain Cover-up (at age 4) and Julian’s Drum Gloves (at age 7). He also launched his own snack brand, Julian’s GO Bars, and founded The Bizzy Company to support other young artists and entrepreneurs. Julian has showcased his skills on numerous TV shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show and Good Morning America.
8 Arham Om Talsania
While many aspiring computer programmers spend years in college, Arham Om Talsania from Ahmedabad, India, earned the title of the world’s youngest computer programmer at the age of six. His fascination with technology began at age two with tablets. He developed an interest in programming through gadgets, video games, and solving puzzles.
His father taught him the basics of programming, and Arham quickly started creating his own small games. He solidified his world record by passing the Python programming language exam just a day before his seventh birthday. Arham dreams of becoming a business entrepreneur and using his tech skills to help those in need. What an inspiring goal for such a young talent!
7 Greta Thunberg
Young people are increasingly concerned about environmental issues, as they will inherit the planet. Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg became a powerful voice in this movement. At just 16, she broke a 90-year-old record by becoming the youngest TIME Person of the Year. Her activism and climate change protests since 2018 have gained global media attention, making her a well-known figure.
Greta first learned about the climate crisis around age seven or eight and felt compelled to act. Her concern led her from simple actions like saving power at home to a month-long school strike. This strike sparked the worldwide “Fridays for Future” movement, involving large-scale global protests. She has used her platform to demand real change from world leaders, inspiring many, including prominent figures and politicians, to join her cause.
6 Aashman Taneja
Aashman Taneja, a first-grader from Hyderabad, India, is a dedicated Taekwondo student. At the remarkable age of five, he set a Guinness World Record for the most full-contact knee strikes nonstop in one hour, delivering over 1,200 strikes! His older sister Myra, herself a three-time Taekwondo world record breaker, inspired him to take up the martial art.
Aashman began training at age four alongside his sister. He shows immense passion for Taekwondo, practicing his kicks for an hour, four days a week, and receiving special training from his Grand Master, Jayanth Reddy. Despite his rigorous training and achievements, Aashman balances his life well, earning good grades and enjoying hobbies like rock climbing and drawing.
5 Roxanne Downs
Flipping through magazines is a common pastime for many young girls. For Roxanne Downs from Australia, this interest led to a world record. At the young age of eight, she became the youngest magazine editor ever. Her father noted her strong reading and writing skills and her awareness of her peers’ interests, which made her a great fit for the role.
When tween girl magazine It GiRL sought editors from their target audience, Roxanne was chosen. Her responsibilities included attending launches, developing editorial concepts, conducting market research, writing monthly editor’s letters, and reviewing magazines before printing. She earned her world record title after six months as editor for It GiRL, proving that young minds can bring fresh perspectives to any industry.
4 Montannah Kenney
In March 2018, just before her eighth birthday, Montannah Kenney became the youngest female to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. She and her mother, Hollie Kenney, reached Uhuru Peak, the mountain’s highest point, in just over a week. They faced challenging conditions, including persistent rain and snow, thin air at high altitudes, and poor visibility.
Initially, they planned the trek for 2019, but learning about the then-current record holder, eight-year-old Roxy Getter, spurred Montannah to aim for the record sooner. They trained with long hikes and secured a special permit for Montannah, as the usual minimum age is ten. While breaking the record was a goal, Montannah’s primary motivation was to honor her late father, who passed away when she was three. Reaching the summit felt like being a little closer to him in heaven.
3 Ritaj Alhazmi
Ritaj Alhazmi, a young girl from Saudi Arabia, discovered her love for fiction writing during visits to libraries and learning workshops with her parents. She was captivated by the idea that imagination could bring any idea to life. This passion led her to write a three-novel series titled Treasure of the Lost Sea, securing a publishing contract in 2020. The first two books, Treasure of the Lost Sea and Portal of the Hidden World, were released when Ritaj was only 11, earning her awards.
Ritaj believes there’s a need for more books that truly speak to her age group. While fiction was her initial inspiration, she’s also drawn to nonfiction, citing Bill Gates’s How to Avoid a Climate Disaster as an influence. She hopes to inspire other young people to write and pursue their goals, with an ambition to one day win a Nobel Prize.
2 Zara Rutherford
Flying solo around the world is an immense challenge. In 2022, 19-year-old Belgian-British pilot Zara Rutherford followed in the ambitious spirit of aviators like Amelia Earhart. She broke the world record for the youngest woman to fly solo around the globe, surpassing the previous record held by 30-year-old Shaesta Waiz.
Zara’s journey was filled with obstacles. She endured freezing Siberian winters and scorching Indonesian heatwaves. Fog, smoke, wildfires, and a typhoon caused significant delays, sometimes grounding her for weeks and leading to moments of fear and homesickness. Despite these challenges, she visited five continents and 41 nations. Her journey, initially planned for three months, took 155 days, concluding when she landed back in Belgium, a testament to her perseverance.
1 Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai, born in Swat Valley, Pakistan, grew up under Taliban oppression and witnessed the severe mistreatment of females. Her father, a diplomat and activist, inspired her. Malala became known for her activism against the Taliban and her advocacy for girls’ education. She began blogging for BBC Urdu, sharing her experiences under the region’s political violence and the denial of education for girls.
Her outspokenness made her a target. One day, a masked gunman boarded her school bus and shot her; the bullet narrowly missed her brain. Miraculously, she survived. Her story resonated globally, making her a symbol of women’s rights and the fight against sexism. In 2013, she addressed the United Nations, demanding education for every child. In October 2014, at age 17, Malala Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, a powerful recognition of her courage and impact.
These ten young individuals are more than just record breakers; they are inspirations. Their stories show that passion, dedication, and a little bit of courage can lead to extraordinary achievements, no matter your age. From life-saving surgery before birth to changing the world with their voices, these kids prove that the future is indeed in bright hands.
Which of these young record breakers inspires you the most? Do you know any other amazing young achievers? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
