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PATTAYA — Short shrieks, high-pitched yelps, and drawn-out wails rang out in Thailand at an international competition aimed at setting a new record for the loudest scream.
Russian Sergey Savelyev chimed in at 116.8 decibels — roughly as loud as an ambulance siren — to win Saturday's competition in the seaside town of Pattaya.
His effort fell short of breaking the 129-decibel Guinness World Record for the loudest scream set in 2000 in London.
"I was only getting warmed up," said 33-year-old Savelyev, who said he'll be back next year to compete in the competition hosted by Thailand's Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.
The Russian, who walked away with a check for 30,000 baht (US$900), was one of 11 finalists from a field of 1,500 competitors.
Various strategies for revving up the vocal cords had contestants twisting their bodies and even throwing themselves on the ground.
"I just want to be a good actor," said Trirat Yongbreungsa, a part-time English teacher and beauty salon worker from Pattaya. "I screamed very loudly, but the acting was more fun."
