Chandra Bahadur Dangi, a 72-year-old man from Nepal, has come forward with the claim that he is actually the world's shortest man at 22 inches, over an inch shorter than the current record-holder, Junrey Balawing.
The Guinness Book of World Records currently lists 18-year-old Balawing of the Philippines as the shortest, at 23.5 inches, measured on his birthday last June.
However, Dolak Dangi, the nephew of Chandra Bahadur Dangi, told The Associated Press his uncle will be measured by Guinness officials in Katmandu to possibly present him with the title.
Dangi resides in Rhimkholi village with his oldest brother and his family, The AP reported. He has five brothers all of average height and his family doesn't recall when he stopped growing. He has never visited a doctor, mainly dines on rice and vegetables and has never been married.
Oddly enough, Dangi never realized his miniature height until a forest contractor working in his extremely remote village measured him pointed it out to Nepalese media. Guinness immediately responded on Wednesday that officials will arrive in Katmandu on Sunday to measure Dangi, who is currently in the Nepalese capital. According to The AP, this is not only his first trip on a plane, but the first time he ever left his village.
I am very happy to be in Katmandu for the first time in my life. I am here so I can take the Guinness title, Dangi told The AP after disembarking from the plane at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Guinness officials will measure Chandra Bahadur Dangi on Sunday and will possibly take the title from Junrey Balawing. Balawing replaced the former record holder, a 26.4 inches tall Nepalese man named Khagendra Thapa Magar, in June.
To put their height in perspective, Gawker listed ten things taller than both Balawing and Dangi, which included a standard skateboard and a car tire.
View the slideshow to see photos of the latest contender for World's Shortest Man: 22-inch tall Chandra Bahadur Dangi.
Chandra Bahadur Dangi, 72, who claims to be the world's shortest man standing at a height of 22 inches (56 centimeters), is pictured at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival from Nepalgunj, in Kathmandu February 22, 2012. Dangi is scheduled to be verified for being the world's shortest man by the Guinness World Records on February 26. When certified by the Guinness World Records, Dangi will beat Junrey Balawing of Philippines, the current Guinness World Records holder who stands at a height of 23.5 inches (60 cm).ReutersChandra Bahadur Dangi, 72, who claims to be the world's shortest man standing at a height of 22 inches (56 centimeters), is pictured at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival from Nepalgunj, in Kathmandu February 22, 2012. Dangi is scheduled to be verified for being the world's shortest man by the Guinness World Records on February 26. When certified by the Guinness World Records, Dangi will beat Junrey Balawing of Philippines, the current Guinness World Records holder who stands at a height of 23.5 inches (60 cm).ReutersChandra Bahadur Dangi, 72, who claims to be the world's shortest man standing at a height of 22 inches (56 centimeters), is pictured at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival from Nepalgunj, in Kathmandu February 22, 2012. Dangi is scheduled to be verified for being the world's shortest man by the Guinness World Records on February 26. When certified by the Guinness World Records, Dangi will beat Junrey Balawing of Philippines, the current Guinness World Records holder who stands at a height of 23.5 inches (60 cm).ReutersChandra Bahadur Dangi, 72, who claims to be the world's shortest man standing at a height of 22 inches (56 centimeters), is pictured at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival from Nepalgunj, in Kathmandu February 22, 2012. Dangi is scheduled to be verified for being the world's shortest man by the Guinness World Records on February 26. When certified by the Guinness World Records, Dangi will beat Junrey Balawing of Philippines, the current Guinness World Records holder who stands at a height of 23.5 inches (60 cm).ReutersChandra Bahadur Dangi, 72, who claims to be the world's shortest man standing at a height of 22 inches (56 centimeters), is pictured at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival from Nepalgunj, in Kathmandu February 22, 2012. Dangi is scheduled to be verified for being the world's shortest man by the Guinness World Records on February 26. When certified by the Guinness World Records, Dangi will beat Junrey Balawing of Philippines, the current Guinness World Records holder who stands at a height of 23.5 inches (60 cm).Reuters
