Filipino declared world's shortest man

A Filipino blacksmith's son who stopped growing when he was a toddler was declared the world's shortest man yesterday as he celebrated his 18th birthday.

Measuring just 59.93 centimetres, or 23.5 inches, Junrey 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.

The previous record holder was Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal, who was measured in 2010 at just over 26 inches.

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