Coventry, UK — A young girl from Coventry has officially set the record for the longest hair on a child, measuring over one meter (3.2 feet) in length. Five-year-old Anastasia Karasjova’s hair currently spans 42 inches (107 cm), earning her the title previously held by a child in New Delhi, India.
Anastasia was born with a full head of hair, and her parents chose not to cut it as she grew older. Her mother, Angela Rusu, 36, describes her daughter as a “real-life living doll,” a sentiment echoed by her classmates.
Initially, Angela sought recognition from Guinness World Records but was informed that their categories did not include children of Anastasia’s age. Undeterred, she applied to the International Book of Records, which confirmed Anastasia’s achievement.
Angela shared that upon Anastasia’s birth, she noticed her daughter’s unusual hair length. As a member of the Christian Orthodox community, she followed tradition by cutting Anastasia’s hair for the first time at a church service and again at her first birthday. Since then, she decided against further cuts, attributing the length to genetics.
To validate the record, Angela submitted videos and photographs, and arranged for a witness to be present during the measurement. Despite Anastasia being nonverbal and autistic, she has embraced her newfound fame, proudly wearing her medal since the official recognition on July 5.
“They sent an email confirming it was a record, and then we received a medal in the mail,” Angela explained. “I had to provide multiple videos and photos, including ones of her hair both curly and straight.”
Angela noted that while the official measurement was recorded at 40 inches, Anastasia’s hair is still growing. “It was during the summer Olympics when she clapped for the athletes receiving their medals. Then she got her own medal and was so happy she didn’t want to take it off, even wanting to sleep with it,” Angela recounted.
At school, Anastasia is embraced by her peers, who refer to her as “the girl with the long hair.” Angela believes her daughter’s hair is a gift and emphasizes the unique talents that children with special needs possess.
When asked about the future of Anastasia’s hair, Angela said, “It depends on what she wants. If the moment is right, we might consider cutting it to donate to children who are facing hair loss due to illness.”
Angela lives with her partner, Roman Karasjov, 29, who works at Jaguar Land Rover. Together, they continue to support Anastasia’s journey and celebrate her remarkable achievement.
