Dor Bahadug Khapangi (17) can now call himself the smallest male teenager in the world. The Nepalese, who was born on November 14, 2004, now measures 73.43 centimeters. The boy with dwarfism was awarded the prestigious Guinness Book of Records certificate in the capital Kathmandu.
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An important note here: there were once (many) smaller teenagers around, but they are no longer alive or in another category. After all, the organization recognizes two types of smallest people, mobile and non-mobile. Khapangi belongs to the camp of people who can move independently.
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One of his predecessors was – not coincidentally – also a Nepali. Khagendra Thapa Magar reached a height of barely 67 centimeters at the age of 18. “When it was born, it was so small it could fit in the palm of your hand. Bathing him was always a challenge,” recalls his father Roop Bahadur. He died two years ago at the age of 27 from the effects of pneumonia.
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Then a Filipino took over. Junrey Balawing suffered from achondroplasia, a hereditary condition in which the formation of cartilage in the long bones is disrupted. For example, after his first year of life, he remained at 59.93 centimeters.
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The record of ‘shortest man ever’ is held by Chandra Bahadur Dangi at 54.6 centimeters. You guessed it, also a Nepali. He was discovered in a remote village by a timber entrepreneur.
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After the record was officially recognized, Dangi’s life – 72 at the time – changed drastically. He immediately cashed in on his status by becoming a banner for his country. For example, he met the smallest woman and the largest man in the world during major media events.
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Dangi passed away on September 3, 2015. Pneumonia is also thought to be the cause. The smallest man tout court still alive at the moment is Colombian Edward Niño Hernandez with 72.1 centimeters.
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