Tuesday, July 16, 2013

  Guinness world record holder James Anthony Tan receives '2013 Man of the Year' Award

  MIAMI, USA -- Twenty-one-year-old Capt James Anthony Tan , born with dyslexia, is a Malaysian pilot who has managed to fly around the world in a tiny, single-engine Cessna 210 Eagle aircraft, setting the new world record for the Youngest pilot to fly around the world . World Record Academy has chosen Captain James Anthony Tan as the receiver of the '2013 Man of The Year' Award for his accomplishment.

Photo: Flying a 30-year-old, single-engine Cessna 210 eagle aircraft, Captain James Anthony Tan, 21, from Sungai Long, Kajang, touched down at Subang airport after visiting 21 countries, completing 22,000 miles (40,000 KM) in 50 days during the "1 Malaysia Round the world Expedition (1RTW)," setting the new world record for the Youngest pilot to fly solo around the world. ( enlarge photo )

The Guinness World Records' record holder for the youngest person to fly solo around the world is James Anthony Tan (Malaysia, b. 4 June 1991), who flew a 1980 Cessna P210N from 28 March to 14 May 2013. James completed the "1Malaysia Around the World" circumnavigation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aged 21 years 344 days. James completed his circumnavigation in 48 days, covering 38,025 km (23,627.59 miles) and stopping in 19 countries.

  "My journey around the world is an attempt to inspire persons with special needs and make them believe that they achieve their dreams. I hope it also makes others aware that persons with special needs can go the distance if they get equal opportunity," said Tan.

   "When I was a kid, trying to learn, read and write was tough. Staying focused and disciplined was hard work. But persistence and conviction paid off.

   "It is not as though I don't have my 'special' moments now, but I have my ways of getting around them. I always tell myself that being born with a special gift is no excuse for not working hard," he said.

  James, who was born with dyslexia, had to leave conventional schooling at 8 years old to enroll in a special program specific for dyslexic children and through this expedition, James wants to inspire young people around the world. James intends to create awareness and bring equality to special needs individuals; while at the same time, leaving a legacy so that others will dare to do the impossible.

  To date over 300 dyslexia associations around the world have been informed of this expedition.

  To realise this dream, James received support from the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak.

  Captain James Anthony Tan also received a proclamation form the US Senate and from the Mayor of New York.

About WRA's 'Man of The Year' Award
   Man of the Year Award provide a unique opportunity for the World Record Academy to honour those who have made a real difference to people's lives, whether as unsung heroes or as household names.

  Man of the Year Award is given annually to a record breaker who has made an outstanding contribution on an international level, or to a person who has made a positive impact on others.