Khagendra Thapa Recognized as world's shortest man

ON HIS 18TH BIRTHDAY, HE IS OFFICIALLY MEASURED AND RECOGNIZED AS THE WORLD’S SHORTEST MAN, TAKING THE TITLE FROM EDWARD “NIÑO” HERNANDEZ …

London, UK (14 October 2010) – Guinness World Records, the global authority on record breaking, today confirms the new world’s shortest man as 2 ft 2.41 in tall (67.08 cm) Khagendra Thapa Magar from Nepal, who previously held the record of shortest teenager.

The news comes only five weeks after Guinness World Records recognized Colombia’s Edward “Niño” Hernandez as the record holder, which makes his reign the shortest in history.  According to Guinness World Records guidelines, candidates must be over 18 years of age to be considered an adult (i.e. a Man).  This allowed for the 24-year-old Niño – a resident of south Bogota – to take the title on 6th September 2010, with the knowledge that his reign would potentially be short lived.

Guinness World Records sent an official adjudicator from their headquarters in London to the remote Baglung District of Pokhara in Nepal to officially measure and recognize him as the new shortest living man. The visit was timed to coincide with Khagendra’s 18th birthday.

Guinness World Records Adjudicator Marco Frigatti said: “We have known about Khagendra for some time, but have had to wait until he turned 18 before we could consider him for the record of shortest man.  Khagendra has grown since his last measurement in February, but he is still shorter than Niño, making him the shortest known living man; and to make the announcement here in his hometown on the occasion of his birthday is extra special!”

Weighing 6.5 kg (12 lb) Khagendra works with his parents in their fruit shop.  He enjoys watching karate shows on television and dancing to traditional Nepalese music. On being announced the new shortest living man he said: “I don’t consider myself to be a small man. I’m a big man. I hope that having this title enables me to prove it and get a proper house for me and my family.”

Edward “Niño” Hernandez, on being informed that he had lost his title, said:  "I've greatly enjoyed being the shortest man in the world for a while and I have been very proud of it. Records will always be broken and I am very happy to pass the title to Khagendra. I hope we can meet one day in person!"

Edward “Niño” Hernandez and Khagendra Thapa Magar are included in the Guinness World Records 2011 edition which is out now. 

From Gunnessworldrecords