Battle For World’s Shortest Man Title Heats Up

Almost exactly a year ago, we brought you the story of Khagendra Thapa Magar, a then 17-year-old Nepalese boy slated to take over as the world’s shortest man. Upon turning 18, Khagendra, who is only 26.4 inches tall, took the title from 21-year-old He Ping Ping (R.I.P.), who was 29 inches tall. However, it looks like another champion is rising up—or should I say stooping low?

Hailing from the Zamboanga del Norte province of the Philippines, Junrey Balawing is a 17-year-old young man who is only 22 inches tall, meaning he’s 4.2 inches shorter than Khagendra. As such, when Junrey turns 18 on June 12, he will become the world’s smallest man.

What’s even more amazing about Junrey, however, is that he will in fact be the shortest man who has ever lived. According to Craig Glenday from Guinness World Records, the shortest man thus far was Gul Mohammed of India, who was 22.5 inches tall.

Keep in mind that Junrey hasn’t been tested yet. Craig and his crew are waiting for Junrey’s birthday, at which point they will officially measure him. If his claim is indeed true, then it will be quite a “remarkable claim.”

As for Junrey, he’s trying to wait patiently, but he sure is excited about the prospect.

“If I were the smallest man in the world, it would be very cool,” he said.

(link)