Junrey Balawing has been recognized as the world’s shortest person – replacing the previous shortest person, Khagendra Thapa Magar. Khagendra remained world’s shortest person for about 8 months until Junrey turned 18 to claim the title. 59.93 cm tall Junrey is 7 cm shorter than Khagendra.
The current title holder is Khagendra Thapa Magar, of Nepal, who is 26.4in or 2ft 2.41in tall. He was declared to be the shortest man in the world and recorded his name in Guinness World Records in 2010.
According to British tabloid magazine the Sun, the 17-year-old, who is tinier than a one-year-old, will take the title-smashing five inches off the current record when he turns 18 on June 12.
The titchy teen has not grown since his first birthday, struggles to walk and cannot stand up for long, the paper reported.
But he beams with pride when talking about his likely world record.
He told the Sun: “If I were the smallest man in the world, it would be very cool.”
Junrey lives with his parents and three younger – but taller – siblings in a village in a remote region of the Philippines’ Zamboanga del Norte province.
A Guinness world Records spokesman confirmed that they would be considering Balawing’s claim when he turns 18, which is when candidates for this title can officially apply for the record.
