A Nepalese teen who is the size of a toddler turned 18 on Thursday and entered the record books as the world’s shortest man.
Khagendra Thapa Magar is 67.08 centimeters (26.4 inches) and weighs 6.5 kilograms (13 pounds), said Marco Frigatti, vice president of records at Guinness World Records, who flew in from London for the recognition.
“I can confirm that as of today Khagendra Thapa Magar is the officially shortest man in the world,” Fragatti said amidst cheers.
The teen underwent a series of medical examinations over the past two days in his hometown of Pokhara to ascertain his height and weight.
A businessman discovered Magar four years ago in remote Baglung district.
Since then, he has been the center of attraction at fairs across the country, with organizers paying to exhibit him.
“I am very happy with the recognition,” his father, Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar, told CNN by phone. “For the last few days, Khagendra has been saying that he is a big man now.”
The businessman who discovered him said the recognition was years in the making.
“This is the end of a journey that began four years ago,” Min Bahadur Rana said.
The first time he applied, Guinness officials told him he had to be 18, Rana said.
Magar replaces Edward Nino Hernandez, 24, of Colombia, who measures 70.21 centimeters (27.4 inches). Hernandez had been declared the shortest living man after Chinese national He Pingping died in March.
Magar is a resident of Pokhara, 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu.
