SHORTEST MAN - LIVING
FOR THE RECORD
- WHO:CHANDRA BAHADUR DANGI
- WHAT:SHORTEST MAN - LIVING (MOBILE)
- WHERE:NEPAL
Chandra Bahadur Dangi from Nepal is the world's shortest living man, measuring 54.6cm (21.5 in).
The measurement also makes Chandra the shortest adult human to ever have their height verified by Guinness World Records, beating a benchmark set by Gul Mohammed, (New Delhi, India, 1957-1997) who measured 57 cm (22.5 in).
Upon the invitation of Mr Chandra, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief, Craig Glenday, flew from London to Kathmandu to perform an official measurement at the CIWEC Clinic Travel Medicine Center in Lainchaur in February 2012.
In accordance with Guinness World Records guidelines, Chandra was measured three times in 24 hours and his height confirmed to be 54.6 cm (21.5 in).
Chandra claims to be 73 years of age and weighs 14.5kg. He has spent his entire life in the remote Nepalese mountain village of Rhimkholi, about 250 miles west of Kathmandu.
He lives there with his five brothers (all of an average height) and makes his living weaving traditional Nepalese garments. Chandra's home is so remote that it wasn't until recently that he gained attention; a forest contractor cutting timber in the village met him and informed local media.
Chandra's incredible measurements meant he took over from Junrey Balawing, as the planet's smallest man.
Junrey, from Sindangan, a coastal village in the southern Philippines, became eligible for the record in June last year when he celebrated his 18th birthday.
Measuring 23.6 inches (59.93cm) in height, Junrey, above, weighs just 5kgs.
At birth, he was the size of a 1-litre coke bottle. His mother only started to suspect something was not right when Junrey was four years old as his friends began to outgrow him. The family sought advice and he was given medication to strengthen his bones, but these made no difference.
Chendra isn't the first Nepalese person to hold the world's smallest man title - Khagendra Thapa Magar, a dance troupe member, took the crown in October 2010 after measuring just 67.08 cm (2 ft 2.41 in) on his 18th birthday.
Coming from a country best known for having the world's highest mountain, Thapa has gone on to arguably become as big an attraction.
He now works as a goodwill ambassador for the region, helping to promote tourism.
Tharpa's predecessor, Edward Nino Hernandez of Columbia had one of the briefest spells as shortest living mobile man, with his reign lasting just six months.
Measuring 70.21 cm (2 ft 3.46 in) in April 2010, Edward has recently embarked on a career in acting.
A big fan of Reggaeton music, he previously earned money by dancing in department stores.
His hobbies include keeping fit, dressing up and impersonating Michael Jackson, and (no pun intended), the superhero TV show Smallville.
Edward had to fill the shoes of He Pingping, one of the most iconic Guinness World Records record holders of all time, who sadly passed away in 2010 at the age of 21.
Pingping was born in 1988 in Wulanchabu, China, with a form of primordial dwarfism, and was officially recognised as the world's shortest man in 2008 after measuring a tiny 74.61 cm (2 ft 5.37 in).
He went on to become a worldwide superstar, making numerous public appearances across the globe.
Recalling their first meeting, Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records editor-in-chief says: "From the moment I laid on eyes on him, I knew he was someone special - he had such a cheeky smile and mischievous personality, you couldn't help but be charmed by him.
"He brightened up the lives of everyone he met, and was an inspiration to anyone considered different or unusual. For such a small man, he made a huge impact around the world."
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