SINDANGAN, Philippines — He may be the shortest man on Earth, but Junrey I. Balawing has become a giant in the eyes of his countrymen.
The son of a poor blacksmith and a homemaker in rural Zamboanga del Norte province on the southern island of Mindanao, 18-year-old Junrey, who is a mere 23½ inches tall and weighs only 12 pounds, was recognized Sunday as the world’s shortest man.
“I’m pleased to announce that we have a new world-record holder,” Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, said to a cheering crowd of local officials and townspeople.
The announcement, which took place on Junrey’s 18th birthday, was met enthusiastically in this seaside town of 90,000 by residents who also were celebrating their country’s freedom from Spain 113 years ago.
Junrey broke the former record, held by Nepal’s Khagendra Thapa Magar, by nearly three inches. Magar was measured at 26.4 inches tall in 2010, according to Guinness World Records.
Glenday and Sindangan health officials conducted six sets of measurements over two days to confirm Junrey’s height. Three were carried out privately on Saturday, and three were done in public on Sunday.
Glenday said Junrey’s listed height was calculated from an average of measurements made while he was standing and lying down.
Although no monetary award accompanied the Guinness announcement, Junrey was given a plaque by the organization, and townspeople immediately began showering him with cash and other gifts, including a birthday cake that was almost as long as he is tall.
Glenday said it was very likely that Junrey would continue to receive gifts and other assistance from fans around the world.
He cited the case of 27-year-old Sultan Kosen of Turkey. After being confirmed as the world’s tallest man in 2009, Kosen received many gifts, free medical care in the United States and has since traveled widely.
“It basically changed his life,” said Glenday. “Maybe the same thing will happen for Junrey.”
