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AROUND THE WORLD 1: World’s Shortest Man Named

The Guinness Book of World Records has officially registered the world’s shortest man. He is 14 year-old Khagendra Thapamagar of Baglung, western Nepal. Khagendra is 20 inches tall and weighs in at only 10lbs, comparable to the weight of some new born babies today.

The competitor for the title was Jordanian born, Yoyansvans, who was 25.5 inches tall. Kagendra is over 5 inches shorter. India’s Gul Mohammed, who died in 1997 at the age of 36, held the world record with 22.5 inches tall.

Khagendra’s mother Dhan Maya said her son started moving around only when he was 8 and his physical growth stopped at the age of 11. Nepal currently has a charitable organization set up for Khagendra “which organizes exhibitions” and raises funds to support Khagendra and his family, according to Min Bahadur Rana, chairman of the Khagendra Thapamagar Academy. Khagendra is currently on tour with his family in southern Nepal trying to raise money for his Academy.

The World’s tallest man is currently Xi Shun from Mongolia at 7ft 8.95 inches.

--Written by Olivia Overman

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Read AROUND THE WORLD 2: The World’s Oldest Person Dies