The world's tallest man has met up with the shortest man on the planet for the first time. (Pictured: He PingPing (L) with Sultan Kosen)
Sultan Kosen, at 8ft 1ins (2.46m), and 2ft 5.4ins (73.7cm) He PingPing had a lot of things in common – even if height wasn’t one of them. The Turkish farm labourer and the pint-sized man from China were in Istanbul to mark the opening of the new Guinness World Records Live! Roadshow. Mr Kosen said: “I’ve wanted to meet Pingping ever since I was awarded the tallest man title. “I’m really happy that he was willing to travel to Turkey – I can’t wait to show him around our beautiful city.”
Also the world record holder for the largest hands and feet, Kosen, 27, seized the title of world’s tallest man from China’s Bao Xishun last September, beating his rival by 10cm. Born and raised in the Mardin province of Turkey, Kosen’s height is due to a condition known as pituitary gigantism. After a series of surgeries to remove the tumor which was causing his excess growth, Kosen stopped growing in 2008.
At the opposite end, He PingPing, 21, suffers from a condition known as Primordial Dwarfism. According to his father, he was small enough to fit into the palm of his hand at birth.
He lives with his family in Inner Mongolia, China and has travelled the world since being recognised by Guinness World Records.
Post published in: News