Sunday, June 12, 2011

Guinness names Filipino as world's shortest man

Junrey Balawing holds a Philippine flag as he is assisted by his father Reynaldo after being measured by a Guinness World Records representative at Sindangan Health Center, Sindangan township, Zamboanga Del Norte province in Southern Philippines Saturday June 11, 2011, the eve of his 18th birthday which is coincidentally the Philippines Independence Day. Officials said Saturday Balawing was measured at 24 and 1/4 inches (about 61 centimeters) lying down and about two inches shorter than the current record holder Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal and is expected to be officially named as the world's shortest living man when he turns 18 Sunday.  (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
SINDANGAN, Philippines (AP) — A Guinness World Records representative has declared the son of a poor Filipino locksmith who measured 23.5 inches (60 centimeters) tall as the world's shortest man.
Guinness official Craig Glenday says Junrey Balawing, who turned 18 on Sunday, broke the record of Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal, who is 26.4 inches (67 centimeters) tall.
The announcement drew a loud applause from Balawing's parents and townmates in Zamboanga del Norte's remote Sindangan township in the southern Philippines, who showered the new celebrity with a feast, a cake, balloons and cash gifts.
Balawing thanked the crowd and posed for pictures.

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