Teen from Nepal becomes world's smallest man, according to Guinness Book

A teen from Nepal, Khagendra Thapa Magar, who turned 18 on Thursday, has finally been granted that coveted title by the Guinness Book of World Records.

"I can confirm that as of today Khagendra Thapa Magar is officially the shortest man in the world," Guinness official Marco Frigatti said, New York Daily News reports.

Khagendra Thapa Magar, who stands just 2ft 1.8in (65.5cm) tall and weighs 12.1lb (5.5kg), takes over from Edward "Nino" Hernandez from Colombia.

Twenty-four-year-old Hernandez, a relatively lofty 2ft 3in (70cm), had held the title for just five weeks.

It passed to a delighted Magar only after he was carefully measured and weighed by doctors and officials from the Guinness Book of Records.

Magar, who lives near the picturesque Himalayan town of Pokhara in central Nepal, was tiny even at birth, weighing just 1.3lb (600g).

His father says he cannot explain why he never grew taller - his younger brother is a normal height for a boy of 13.

Magar rarely speaks himself but earlier this week he told journalists he wanted a remote-controlled car for his birthday - and that he would rely on his future wife for transport.

"I'm hoping to marry in two years' time, when I am 20," he said. "I'll sit in my wife's handbag and travel the world with her," according to Sky News.