Twenty-year-old university student Anush Maharaj has made history by becoming the first Fijian to set a Guinness World Record in logo recognition. Known by his nickname “The Mystic,” Maharaj successfully identified 60 company logos in just 30 seconds during an official attempt on 29 May 2025 at Ratu Sukuna Park.
The feat broke the previous record held by India for the past three years, and Maharaj says his motivation was to represent Fiji on the global stage. “I attempted this record to represent my country,” he told FBC News.
“So far, no one in Fiji has ever done this before. I guess I am the first person in history to achieve this by breaking the world record.”
The challenge itself was no easy task. Maharaj had to correctly recognise and name logos from a broad spectrum of global companies, all within a strict 30-second time limit. The attempt followed strict Guinness World Records guidelines, requiring at least two witnesses and two timekeepers to monitor the attempt and ensure accuracy.
“My attempt was closely observed and timed by witnesses and officials,” Maharaj explained.
“After submitting all the evidence, the Guinness World Records reviewed it carefully and officially announced me as the current record holder.”
For Maharaj, this achievement is both a personal milestone and a moment of pride for Fiji. “It’s not just about the record,” he said.
“It’s about showing that Fijians can compete and succeed on the world stage.”
This accomplishment adds to Fiji’s growing list of unique Guinness World Records.
Fiji Airways, the national airline, set a remarkable record in August 2013 for the world’s highest altitude wedding, when five couples exchanged vows aboard a flight cruising at 41,000 feet. The event was part of a creative campaign to celebrate the airline’s rebranding and promote Fiji as a premier wedding and honeymoon destination.
Going further back in history, Fiji’s rich and sometimes unusual record books include Ratu Udre Udre, who holds the grim record for the most prolific cannibal in the 19th century, reportedly having consumed between 872 and 999 people.
On a more natural history note, Fiji is also home to unique iguana species, with the discovery in 2008 of a previously unknown third species, Brachylophus bulabula, highlighting the islands’ ecological uniqueness and biodiversity.
With Anush Maharaj’s latest Guinness World Record, Fiji continues to carve out its own distinctive place in global records, showcasing the diverse talents and remarkable stories that come from this island nation.
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