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Official: Chandra Bahadur Dangi, a 72-year-old Nepali poses with his certificates after being declared the world's shortest man by Guinness World Records officials at 21.5 inches.
Chandra is more than an inch shorter than the current holder of the shortest man living title, Filipino Jurney Balawing, who is 59.9 centimeters, or just under 2 feet. Balawing was awarded the title in June when he turned 18. Guiness has also awarded Chandra the title of shortest man ever.. The previous record holder was Gul Mohammed of India, who measured 57 centimeters. He died at age 40 in 1997. In contrast, Sultan Kosen from Turkey, who was awarded the 'tallest living man' in February 2011, is 2.5 meters, or 8-foot-3.