Shortest Man: Junrey Balawing sets world record (Video)
SINDANGAN, Philippines -- Junrey Balawing, 23 1/2 inches tall and weighing 12 pounds, and the son of a blacksmith and a homemaker in Zamboanga del Norte province on the island of Mindanao, sets the world record for the Shortest Man. Photo: Junrey Balawing stands next to a rooster during a photo taking session in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines.Photo: Erik de Catro / Reuters (enlarge photo)
The previous Guinness world record was set by Khagendra Thapa Magar from Nepal, who is 26 inches tall.
Guinness World Records also recognized the tallest male under the age of 18 years: Brenden Adams (USA, b. 20 September, 1995), whose height is 225.1 cm (7 ft 4.6 in).
The Guinness World Record team, led by Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday, measured Balawing both vertically and horizontally before declaring him the world's shortest man and handing him a certificate.
Balawing's father said his son, the oldest of four children, stopped growing in his first year. His speech is also stunted and his conversations are limited to short phrases.
Balawing mostly stays at home, needing assistance to move around. His condition has prevented him from attending school.
Local medical practitioners have not been able to explain his growth disorder.
While the award does not come with a cash prize, (apart from a lot of free publicity for Guinness generated by this publicity stunt) Glenday said the team hopes that publicising Balawing's case will draw the attention of medical experts who may be able to help him.
