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World's Shortest Man Khagendra Thapa Magar Dies Aged Just 27

World's Shortest Man Khagendra Thapa Magar Dies Aged Just 27

His brother said he had been battling pneumonia

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Khagendra Thapa Magar, known to many as the world's shortest man, has died aged just 27.

Two-feet-and-two-inches-tall Khagendra had been battling pneumonia and sadly passed away in hospital in Nepal.

Khagendra was given the Guinness World Record to recognise his status as the world's shortest mobile man in 2010.

Khagendra first appeared in the Guinness World Record book as the shortest teenager (male) before being the given the title of world's shortest man when he turned 18.

PA

Speaking at the time, Khagendra said: "I don't consider myself to be a small man. I'm a big man. I hope that having this title enables me to prove it and get a proper house for me and my family."

Khagendra's dad Roop Bahadur said when his son was born, he was so small he could hold him in one hand.

Speaking in 2010, Roop said: "He was so tiny when he was born that he could fit in the palm of your hand, and it was very hard to bathe him because he was so small."

Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, said: "We're terribly sad to hear the news from Nepal that Khagendra is no longer with us.

⁣ "His bright smile was so infectious that he melted the hearts of anyone who met him.

"As many people of short stature experience, life can be challenging when you weigh just six kilograms and you don't fit into a world built for the average person. But Khagendra certainly didn't let his small size stop him from getting the most out of life.

PA

"It's been an honour to know him and his family, and a privilege to share his story with the world."⁣

After picking up the Guinness World Record, Khagendra became a tourism ambassador for Nepal and made media and public appearances around the world.

Pals of Khagendra said he had been suffering with pneumonia, heart problems and asthma.

His brother told AFP that Khagendra died at 3pm on Friday, local time, following a bout of pneumonia.

The record for the world's shortest living mobile man is now held by Colombian Edward Hernandez who is 2ft, 3in.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News