Sidney de Carvalho Mesquita (Brazil), also known as Tio Chico, has set the world record title for the farthest eyeball pop (male).
Sidney’s eyes made their way into Guinness World Records 2023 by popping out to a protrusion of 18.2 mm (0.71 in) beyond his eye sockets. The record was verified in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 10 January 2022.
Tio Chico discovered his talent at the age of nine. He enjoyed making silly faces in front of the mirror and, while doing that, he realized that his eyes could pop out much further than his peers. He showed his family and friends, and they were very impressed by his talent.
At first, his parents were concerned that it might be a symptom of a disease, but fortunately it was not. In fact, it was just an exceptional skill!
Globe luxation is the medical term for when an eyeball protrudes or "pops" out of the eye socket.
Measuring the "pop" is an exact science that has to be done by an optometrist using a device known as a proptometer; an average of three measurements gives the final, eye‑watering result.
Thankfully, his condition does not affect his wellbeing and health. In fact, his ophthalmologist has said it is a rare gift that Sidney possesses.
"My skill is definitely a gift. It came from my father, my mother and the creator, too," says Sidney.
Sidney doesn’t necessarily have to train for this. He was born with it and has since perfected this ability. He wants to take advantage of it and show the world his unique talent.
He feels very grateful, as this gift has changed his life in both personal and professional ways. Now, he is well known not just in Brazil, but all over the world.
He describes likens the feeling of popping of his eyeballs to "letting go of some part of my body."
He loses his ability to see for a few seconds before his eyes can re-focus. He can pop his eyeballs out for 20 to 30 seconds. Sidney’s never met anyone else who can perform this trick!
He takes care of his eyes by using eye drops to lubricate them, especially when he goes to events. It doesn't hurt when he does the tricks, but he can feel a certain burning sensation, as the oxygen begins to dry is eyes out. Therefore, he can't keep his eyes exposed for too long.
Sidney prides himself in his ability to adapt to different environments. He describes himself as a chameleon. He has a very busy life, working full time in sales for the electronic industry.
He loves to attend live events and demonstrate his unique skill to entertain people. He is also a drummer and DJ, sometimes cosplays as Uncle Fester from the Addams Family, and owns a small hamburger delivery company, 'Tio Chico’s Burger'.
In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife Egly, traveling, watching movies, or just doing simple things together. She is his number one fan.
In the beginning, she didn't know about his skill. She found out about it after they got engaged when one of Sidney's friend asked him to pop his eyes - Egly was very surprised!
"He is lovely, kind, and has a good heart," Egly said of her husband.
Sidney said that finding out that his eyeball pop was verified by Guinness World Records was a feeling of "pure excitement mixed with elation and ecstasy."
"Being a record holder is an amazing experience- out of this world- that now I really know what I am capable of!"
Sidney shares that children and young adults are in awe of the trick; they love it! However, older people are more afraid when he performs it. His friends and family think his eyes are amazing and they're his greatest supporters.
On achieving a Guinness World Records title, he commented "I have no words to describe so much happiness."
"A dream come true means opening doors for my work to be even more recognized, and I hope to make the most of this great opportunity as part of the Guinness World Records family."
Kim Goodman (USA) holds the record title of farthest eyeball pop (female). She can pop her eyeballs to a protrusion of 12 mm (0.47 in) beyond her eye sockets. Her eyes were measured in Istanbul, Turkey, on 2 November 2007.
@guinnessworldrecords Farthest eyeball pop 👀📏 12 mm (0.47 in) protrusion by Kim Goodman 🇺🇸
♬ original sound - Guinness World Records
Sidney has also earned a place in the new Guinness World Records 2023edition, available now! Find out where you can purchase your copy.
