Record-Breaking Mouth Gape: Alaska Woman Goes Viral
A delivery service owner from Ketchikan, Alaska has claimed the Guinness World Record for the largest female mouth gape, measuring a remarkable 2.98 inches—nearly half an inch larger than the previous record. Marie Pearl Zellmer Robinson, co-founder of Ketch-A-Courier, received official confirmation of her record-breaking achievement on April 9 after a rigorous verification process involving professional dental measurements.
“Having the record for something is like making a fact for the whole world to learn from,” Robinson said after claiming the title. “People look at that and they think, ‘That’s something that really exists. I wonder if I can do that.'” Her achievement surpasses the previous record of 2.56 inches set by TikTok personality Samantha Ramsdell in 2021, according to UPI.
The unusual talent, which allows Robinson to fit objects as large as a baseball into her mouth, comes from a unique anatomical structure rather than practice or training. Despite her extraordinary ability, Robinson maintains a completely normal appearance when her mouth is closed—making the revelation of her record-breaking gape all the more surprising.
From Childhood Party Trick to International Recognition
Robinson’s journey to world record holder began in childhood, where her unusual ability initially served as entertainment among siblings. “I used to, as a child, shove large objects in my mouth for fun because, you know, when you have siblings you tend to stick stuff in your mouth,” she told Alaska Public. “To show off.”
The talent remained mostly a novelty into adulthood, with Robinson rarely demonstrating her extraordinary mouth capacity. “When I do, it kind of creeps people out,” she admitted. “That’s a creepy jaw!” It wasn’t until she encountered videos of the previous record holder that Robinson considered her ability might be world-class.
Her first self-test involved a U.S. dollar bill, which stands approximately 2.5 inches tall—just shy of the previous record. When the bill fit comfortably into her mouth opening, Robinson realized she had a legitimate chance at claiming the title. “I kind of seem to have a short jaw,” she noted. “But when I start opening it, things change pretty fast.”
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The Science Behind the Stretch
What makes Robinson’s achievement particularly fascinating is the unique anatomical structure enabling her extraordinary mouth opening. Unlike flexibility records that can be achieved through training, Robinson’s ability stems from an unusual jaw configuration.
“I’m pretty sure what happened is my jaw is just positioned in such a way that it’s just slightly further back,” she explained. “I can feel my jaw in my ear canal, which most people apparently don’t.” This distinctive jaw placement allows for a significantly greater range of motion than what most humans can achieve.
To demonstrate the capacity of her record-breaking mouth, Robinson has showcased her ability to fit remarkable objects between her jaws—including five Jenga blocks simultaneously, a standard 12-ounce aluminum can, and even a burger stacked with 10 meat patties, as documented in Guinness verification videos.
Guinness’s Rigorous Verification Process
Obtaining official recognition from Guinness World Records proved more challenging than simply having an unusual ability. Robinson revealed that her first application over a year ago was rejected due to insufficient documentation. “There’s a very strict verification process,” she explained, noting that her initial witness statements and filming didn’t meet Guinness’s exacting standards.
For her successful attempt, Robinson’s husband recorded while local dentist David Albertson performed measurements using calibrated steel calipers. Interestingly, Robinson discovered her mouth gape had increased by a few millimeters between attempts, which she attributes to “practice” during the interim period.
The final measurement of 7.62 centimeters (2.98 inches) comfortably exceeded the previous record of 2.56 inches, according to People. For perspective, the male record in this category—held by Minnesota’s Isaac Johnson—stands significantly higher at 4.014 inches.
Ketchikan’s Growing Record Legacy
Robinson’s achievement adds to Ketchikan’s history with Guinness World Records. Her record attempt was partly inspired by her community’s previous brush with Guinness fame when nearly 2,000 local residents broke the world record for “largest rainboot race” in 2013, a title the Alaskan town held until being surpassed by an Irish athletic club.
“Every time I see somebody do something amazing, I’m like, ‘Well, I can’t do that,'” Robinson said. “But this one was one that I could do, and I surprised myself even.” She had hoped to participate in the rainboot record attempt but couldn’t get time off work—making her current achievement a form of redemption.
Outside her record-breaking jaw, Robinson is known locally as co-founder of Ketch-A-Courier, whose white vehicles featuring halibut logos are familiar sights around the Alaskan town. This combination of entrepreneurial success and world record achievement has earned Robinson a unique place in her community.
The Record’s Future Prospects
Despite now holding the official world title, Robinson believes her record may not stand for long—and she may be the one to break it. “I welcome the challenge of someone else going after it, and I’m pretty sure I can beat my own record in the future as well,” she stated, suggesting her current measurement may not represent her maximum potential.
This self-competitive attitude reflects the spirit of Guinness World Records, where achievements often inspire others to pursue seemingly impossible goals. Robinson’s journey from childhood novelty to world record holder serves as an example that even the most unusual natural traits can find their place in the global spotlight.