New Tallest Man in the World is Announced in London to Launch the 2010 Edition of Guinness World Records(TM)

LONDON -

- With Photo

London received a striking visitor today as the world’s newly-crowned tallest man, Turkish Sultan Kösen (26) who measures a staggering 8 ft 1 in (246.5 cm), toured the city in celebration of the launch of Guinness World Records 2010 edition (published 17th of September).

Earlier this year, Guinness World Records’ Editor-in-Chief, Craig Glenday, travelled to Turkey to personally validate the claim of Kösen under strict Guinness World Records guidelines, which stipulate that the claimant must be measured three times in one day. The average of the measurements is the definitive height as it is medically proven that the body expands and shrinks throughout the day. To Glenday’s surprise, he discovered that Kösen also has the world’s ‘largest hands’ and ‘largest feet’ measuring 27.5 cm and 36.5 cm, respectively, making him a triple record holder. Kösen is also the first person in more than a decade to officially measure over 8 ft in height. He takes the record title from China’s Bao Xi Shun (7 ft 8.95 in), after Ukrainian Leonid Stadnyk’s (8 ft 5.5 in) claim to the title was discredited in 2008 when he refused to be independently measured.

Glenday said: “We only know of 10 confirmed or reliable cases in history of humans reaching 8 ft or more. Sultan’s an imposing figure, but a gentle, quiet man who’s totally relaxed and unfazed about his unique standing in the world. It’s a pleasure to welcome him into the Guinness World Records family and celebrate his mark as one of the most important record holders of this decade.”

This week’s visit to the UK capital marks Kösen’s first-ever trip outside of his native Turkey, where he lives with his parents, three brothers and sister, who are all normal sized. Because of his extreme height he was never able to finish school but works occasionally as a farmer to support his family. He describes the advantages of being tall as seeing from great distance, being able to help out his mum out with domestic jobs such as changing light bulbs and hanging curtains. Disadvantages, he lists as not being able to find clothes or shoes that fit or finding it extremely hard to fit into a regular size car.

Like most men in their twenties, Sultan enjoys such things as listening to music, playing computer games and watching movies. When asked what his hopes are after being officially given the title he said: “To travel and see the world and have a car that accommodates my size! My biggest dream though, is to get married and have children - I’m looking for love.’”

And with the new title announced, Sultan is enjoying plenty of perks such as a specially-made suit kindly donated by bespoke tailors www.aSuitThatFits.com as well as tailor made shoes by www.selve.co.uk and specially-manufactured crutches for his height by Roma Medical, all of which were all kindly donated especially for his visit. Kösen will now continue on a global tour to the US, Germany and his native Turkey to celebrate his new title.

Another of the many highlights in the new Guinness World Records 2010 edition is the Top 100 Records of the Decade, a selection compiled to mark the end of the noughties. Newly-appointed Kösen’s title is recognised as one of the significant top 100 records alongside records ranging from the First African-American US President (Barack Obama) to Most Endangered Species (Abingdon Island Giant Tortoise) and the Fastest Circumnavigation of the World on Bike (Mark Beaumont - 194 days and 17 hours) among many others. Readers are being asked to vote in an online poll at guinnessworldrecords.com to help Guinness World Records determine which 21st century feat should be crowned the number one record of the decade, later on this year.

Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

Source: Guinness World Records

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