The Guinness World Records recognized Junrey Balawing as the new Shortest Living Man on his 18th birthday on Sunday June 12 (the day he was eligible for the title) in Sindangan, Philippines. Balawing, who is from the Philippines, reportedly stands at 22 inches (55cm), considerably shorter than the previous holder of the title, Khagendra Thapa Magar from Nepal, who measures 26.4 inches. Balawing does not only hold the record for the shortest living man, but also the shortest living man in history, a statement from the Guinness World Records said on Saturday.
Junrey Balawing, the "World's Shortest Living Man" declared by the Guinness World Records, holds a ruler in front of his family and townmates in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines June 12, 2011.REUTERSJunrey Balawing, the "World's Shortest Living Man" declared by the Guinness World Records, blows candle as he celebrates his 18th birthday in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines June 12, 2011.REUTERSJunrey Balawing speaks on a microphone with his younger brother Junrex (L) and his father Reynaldo (C), after he was formally announced as the "World's Shortest Living Man" by the Guinness World Records in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines June 12, 2011.REUTERSThe Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday (L) and Sindangan's municipal health workers measure the height of Junrey Balawing in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines June 12, 2011. Balawing was certified by the Guinness World Records as the shortest man in the world with a standing and lying down average measurement of 23.5 inches (59.93 cm), on his 18th birthday on Sunday.REUTERSA woman uses a mobile phone to take a picture with Junrey Balawing, the "World's Shortest Living Man" declared by the Guinness World Records in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines June 12, 2011.REUTERSJunrey Balawing stands next to a rooster during a photo taking session with the Guinness World Records team in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines June 11, 2011.REUTERSJunrey Balawing, carried by his father, talks to reporters in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines June 11, 2011.REUTERS
