Guinness World Records Confirm 2-ft 2.41-in Khagendra as the New World's Shortest Man

On his 18th Birthday, he is Officially Measured and Recognized as the World's Shortest Man, Taking the Title From Edward "Niño" Hernandez…

LONDON, October 14, 2010 - Guinness World Records, the global authority on record
breaking, today confirms the new world's shortest man as 2 ft 2.41 in tall
(67.08 cm) Khagendra Thapa Magar from Nepal, who previously held the record
of shortest teenager.

The news comes only five weeks after Guinness World Records
recognized Colombia's Edward "Niño" Hernandez as the record holder, which
makes his reign the shortest in history. According to Guinness World Records
guidelines, candidates must be over 18 years of age to be considered an adult
(i.e. a Man). This allowed for the 24-year-old Niño - a resident of south
Bogota - to take the title on 6th September 2010, with the knowledge that his
reign would potentially be short lived.

Guinness World Records sent an official adjudicator from their
headquarters in London to the remote Baglung District of Pokhara in Nepal to
officially measure and recognize him as the new shortest living man. The
visit was timed to coincide with Khagendra's 18th birthday.

Guinness World Records Adjudicator Marco Frigatti said: "We
have known about Khagendra for some time, but have had to wait until he
turned 18 before we could consider him for the record of shortest man.
Khagendra has grown since his last measurement in February, but he is still
shorter than Niño, making him the shortest known living man; and to make the
announcement here in his hometown on the occasion of his birthday is extra
special!"

Weighing 5.5 kg (12 lb) Khagendra works with his parents in their fruit
shop. He enjoys watching karate shows on television and dancing to
traditional Nepalese music. On being announced the new shortest living man he
said: "I don't consider myself to be a small man. I'm a big man. I hope that
having this title enables me to prove it and get a proper house for me and my
family."

Edward "Niño" Hernandez, on being informed that he had lost his title,
said: "I've greatly enjoyed being the shortest man in the world for a while
and I have been very proud of it. Records will always be broken and I am very
happy to pass the title to Khagendra. I hope we can meet one day in person!"

Edward "Niño" Hernandez and Khagendra Thapa Magar are included in the
Guinness World Records 2011 edition which is out now.

About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority
on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness
World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages
and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more
than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records
celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its
100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the
Gamer's Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer
gaming and high score record achievements.

For more information and/or artwork please contact: Guinness World Records Press Office - Damian Field: +44(0)20-7891-4518 press at guinnessworldrecords.com