admin
A 15-year-old schoolgirl has become the world’s youngest sword swallower. Haley Hall, from Georgia, US, locked herself in her bedroom to practise the unusual hobby after reading about it in a book when she was just 14.
She spent three months practising in secret before plucking up the courage to tell her parents she had mastered the dangerous art form and is now one of around 25 female sword swallowers in the world.
Ms Hall – who goes by the stage name “The Amazing Pandora” – said: “I have always loved performing, and that’s how I got in to sword swallowing.
“My passion is acting, but I wanted to expand my variety of performances. I can get out of a straight jacket and hand cuffs, sword swallow, and I would like to try fire eating when I’m old enough.
“I started out using a wire hanger and a wooden spoon before I progressed to swords, and I had done a lot of research into the human anatomy so I know how everything works.”
“I was really nervous about telling my parents but they have been really supportive.
“They helped me to find out more about it and to choose the right sword.
“My mum was really worried for me at first, but she knows that I’m careful. My family always come and watch my performances.
“And my friends all think it is really cool, but they did freak out a bit at first. I didn’t tell any of them about it, so it was a shock for them.”
Haley has also a black belt in karate, shoots guns and bows, and rides dirt bikes with her sisters, Rebecca (17), who throws knives, and Maggie (11), who is skilled at picking locks.
Haley is now hoping to gain a Guinness World Record certification, and is the youngest female member of the International Sword Swallowers Association by six years.
Dan Meyer, president of the Sword Swallowers Association International, said: “For Haley to learn the art at the age of 14 is very unusual and for her to have her family’s support is even rarer still. That she learnt sword swallowing through months of solitary practice without a mentor is simply amazing.
“However, due to the extreme dangers in sword swallowing, we do not condone or encourage people to learn sword swallowing, especially not youngsters under the age of 18.
“Haley has already demonstrated persistence and dedication to studying the art and I am convinced that she is highly committed and not turning back, so I have agreed to help mentor Haley with her parents’ permission.”
Haley has been invited to audition for the next series of “America’s Got Talent” and has performed at a number of events across the US in recent months.
The teen performed at “Ripley’s Believe it Or Not” at the end of last month alongside a number of sword swallowing veterans to mark World Sword Swallowers Day. – Daily Mail.
Online Reporter