On June 12, 2011, Guinness World Records officially declared Junrey Balawing of Zamboanga del Norte as the world's shortest living man. The boy received the recognition as he coincidentally turned into 18 year-old on the same day. Nonetheless, no monetary reward was given.
World’s Shortest Man: Junrey Balawing Is New Record-Holder – It’s Official!
Guinness World Records™ can officially confirm that Junrey Balawing from the Philippines has been certified as the world’s shortest man.
Junrey was today verified as measuring 23.6 inches (59.93cm), making him almost three inches smaller than the former holder of the title, Nepal’s Khagendra Thapa Magar.
However, he just misses out on beating the record for the shortest living man in history - a record that was set by Gul Mohammed (India, 1957–97), who was found to be 22.5 inches tall.
Junrey, who weighs only 5kg, became eligible for the record today as he celebrated his 18th birthday.
Today’s confirmation follows a series of measurements made over the course of 24 hours at Sindangan Health Centre, overseen by Guinness World Records adjudicator and Editor-In-Chief, Craig Glenday.
According to his parents, Junrey has not grown since his first birthday.
He lives with his parents and three younger siblings in in Sindangan, a coastal village in the southern Philippines.
Junrey has to stay at home with his mum, Concepcion, while his sisters Jaycel, 13, and Jeanritch, six, and 11-year-old brother Jay-art go to school.
Concepcion, 35, says: "He needs my care every minute of every day. Junrey can only walk with some help and he can't stand for too long because he's in too much pain."
Blacksmith dad Reynaldo, 37, works away for most of the week but when he is home Junrey enjoys sitting on his shoulders and going for a wander in the village.
According to his parents, before Junrey was born, his family were poor and down on their luck. However, after his birth, they saw a reversal of fortune, with Junrey’s father Reynaldo, 37, getting a job that enabled him to look after his family.
"Junrey is our lucky charm," Reynaldo says.
His birthday coincides with Philippines Independence Day, meaning a double celebration in his village today.
The vice-mayor of Sindangan, Bess Jagonio said: "We are very proud because our town will be known throughout the whole world now that we have a person who has become a Guinness World Records title holder.”
Source: Guinness World Records
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