13 Jun 2011

Shortest man in the world

6:03 am on 13 June 2011

A Filipino man has been declared the world's shortest man by the Guinness World Book of Records as he turned 18.

Junrey Balawing, who was born in the southern island of Mindanao, measures 59.93cm (23.5 inches). He stopped growing when he was a toddler.

Mr Balawing is the oldest of four siblings of normal stature. He was presented with a certificate at a birthday party on Sunday.

The BBC reports he is more than 7cm shorter than the previous record holder, Khagendra Thapa Magar from Nepal.