Two Guinness feats for Shillong shoemaker

James Syiemiong always put his best foot out, but yesterday his luck hit dizzy heights. The shoemaker from Shillong entered the Guinness Book of World Records for making 'the highest heeled shoe commercially available'.

"It is the ultimate glory for me," said the shoemaker from his shop Theodore in the state headquarters of Meghalaya.

'As of February 2004, the highest heels commercially available boast a combination of 43 cm platform and 51 cm heels, produced by James Syiemiong (India) for boldnbootiful.com,' said the certificate from the London-based Guiness World Records Ltd, which reached him yesterday.

Unlike many

feats performed exclusively for a place in the prestigious book of records, Syiemiong's shoes were made for commercial use. The shoemaker said even non-professional models would not find them uncomfortable.

This is not his first world record. Last February, Syiemiong also won a place in the book for being able to crack the most number of joints in his body, simultaneously.

"I have shown my skill to the world. Any Tom, Dick and Harry cannot achieve that," says the shoemaker. But two records down, he is not ready to put his feet up.

"I want to concentrate on my profession," says Syiemiong, who is keen to be "somebody" in life. "I want to go to Italy to upgrade my technological know-how in the Milan-based Ars Arpel International Institute of Footwear."