A Guinness World Records representative has declared the son of a poor Filipino locksmith who measured 23.5 inches tall as the world's shortest man.
Guinness official Craig Glenday says Junrey Balawing, who turned 18 on Sunday, broke the record of Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal, who is 26.4 inches tall.
The announcement drew a loud applause from Balawing's parents and townmates in Zamboanga del Norte's remote Sindangan township in the southern Philippines, who showered the new celebrity with a feast, a cake, balloons and cash gifts.
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Guinness World Records 2011
Balawing thanked the crowd and posed for pictures.
Lolit Homay, municipal health officer in Zamboanga del Norte province's Sindangan township, said Balawing was measured on Saturday at about 24 inches from head to foot lying down and slightly above 23 inches standing up.
