18-year old Junrey Balawing was named the world’s shortest man by the Guinness World Records. Officials said Saturday Balawing was measured at 24 and 1/4 inches (about 61 centimeters) lying down and about two inches shorter than the current record holder Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal. SINDANGAN – A Filipino blacksmith’s son who stopped growing when he was a toddler was declared the world’s shortest man Sunday as he celebrated his 18th birthday.Measuring just 59.93 centimetres, or 23.5 inches, Jun Rey Balawing is the oldest of four siblings –the rest all of normal stature – born in the rural town of Sindangan on southern Mindanao island.
“Officially he is the world’s shortest man,” said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of the Guinness Book of World Records who measured Balawing in front of cheering relatives and villagers.
“Thank you to all of you for supporting my son, the world’s shortest man,” Junrey’s father, Reynaldo, told a crush of reporters and photographers.
Junrey then blew out a candle on a cake specially made for him, before telling the crowd in a tiny voice in the local dialect: “Kapoy (I’m tired).”
A throng of wellwishers, including politicians, witnessed the official measurement then handed him wads of cash which his parents said would go towards the family’s meagre savings.
He said he had been sickly as a toddler and stopped growing when he was two years old, but all the local doctors who examined him could not diagnose the problem.
His uncle, Paulino Empag, who is the local village chief, said friends and relatives were very protective of Junrey and some considered his special condition a lucky charm for the rural, superstitious community.
“He is a very special boy. He has trouble speaking and standing up, but he is God’s blessing to his family and to the community,” he said.
After the official announcement, Empag said the family was expected to return to their modest home in the village and celebrate Junrey’s birthday.
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