At 2 feet and 2 1⁄2 inches and weighs 12 pounds and 5 ounces, Khagendra Thapa Magar is the new shortest man in the world. Formerly the shortest teen in the world, Magar turned 18 on October 14, 2010 and immediately took the record from Edward Niño Hernández who was 2 feet 3 1⁄2 inches.
Magar, who is from Nepal, has Primordial dwarfism, a form of dwarfism that results in a smaller body size in all stages of life beginning from before birth. He was born on October 14, 1992. Due to his remarkable size he is called the “little Buddha” by his villagers.
A businessman discovered him four years ago in remote Baglung district. Since then, Magar’s parents had campaigned for years to get him the title, but were turned down because of the possibility their son might grow. After a series of medical examinations over the past two days shortly after his birthday, the Guinness recognized him and gave him the award.
