Craig Glendar (L), editor-in-chief of the Guinness Book of World Records, measures Junrey Balawing on June 12, 2011
A Philippines man was certified the world’s shortest man when he turned 18 over the weekend.
Junrey Balawing of Sindangan in the southern Philippines is 23.6 inches (60cm) tall, making him nearly three inches shorter than the previous record holder, Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal.
Balawing was born a normal size, his family said, and they did not notice anything unusual about him until he was about 4 years old and his peers grew more than he did.
He has not grown since his first birthday, his parents told Guinness. Source
It does seem odd that the parents didn’t notice their son was the size of a malnourished 1-year-old until he was 4. According to CNN, the family was impoverished and couldn’t afford to take Junrey to a doctor to determine why he didn’t grow.
It’s a wonder that little Junrey lived to be 18. Look at his barrel chest. That’s usually a sign of chronic respiratory problems.
His mother Concepcion told CNN that Junrey can’t stand for too long because he’s in too much pain. “He needs my care every minute of every day. Junrey can only walk with some help.”
But they call him “their lucky charm,” according to his father Reynaldo, a blacksmith by trade.
Junrey may have physical disabilities, but there’s nothing wrong with his mouth.
When Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday (pictured above) asked him if he had a girlfriend, Junrey answered in his squeaky high-pitched voice: “You fool! Don’t even ask!”
