February 17, 2023
A 20-year-old Iranian has been crowned by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s shortest living man.
Afshin Ghaderzadeh measures just over two feet tall and barely reaches his dad’s kneecap.
Guinness presented him with a certificate on his world record status at a news conference in Dubai December 15.
Ghaderzadeh walked into the room waving at the cameras and smiling and exuding self-confidence as he was lifted to a tabletop.
Ghaderzadeh stands at 65.24 cm (25.69 inches), earning him the Guinness shortest man living record. He has surpassed (or underpassed) the previous title-holder, Colombia’s Edward Hernandez, who measured 70.21 cm tall when he was first recognized in 2010. Hernandez was remeasured as 72.1 cm in 2020 by Guinness World Records. So, Ghaderzadeh is almost three inches shorter than the man he has now displaced.
“Just thinking about being a part of the Guinness World Records family is like a dream,” Ghaderzadeh said, adding, to “wake up the next day and the entire world knows who you are, that’s magical.”
Ghaderzadeh, a Kurd, was born and grew up in Bukan county in West Azerbaijan Province where he enjoys some local fame because of his height. He is known for a kindly and outgoing personality.
It has not been easy for him and his parents, who also attended the Dubai press conference. Ghaderzadeh has been home-schooled, as he is unable to attend school, and struggles to do everyday things independently, sometimes even walking. His mother said she always needs to be by his side.
Ghaderzadeh, who weighs 5.6 kilograms (12.3 pounds), has not been officially diagnosed with a medical condition that accounts for his height.
“We haven’t got a specific diagnosis, but we know it’s a form of primordial dwarfism,” Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, told The National of the UAE.
He said the recognition could allow Ghaderzadeh’s family to seek medical attention, which otherwise has been difficult for them because of their limited access to organized medical care.
“A good example would be Sultan Kosen, the tallest man right now. He had a pituitary gland tumor that caused excess growth hormones. By having the record, he came to the attention of the world’s media on a day like today, and a doctor who saw the press conference said, ‘Oh we can fix this’,” Glenday said.
Ghaderzadeh was very eager to talk to reporters at the ceremony, saying he enjoys the attention. “It makes me feel special.”
It was his first time on a plane and he quickly took a tour of Dubai.
His height does not seem to stop him living life to the fullest. He loves soccer and is a fan of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and former Iranian national captain Ali Daei, in particular. He predicted that France would defeat Argentina to win the World Cup which did not happen.
He is a big fan of Tom and Jerry cartoons. He also loves to sing and dance, but struggles to accomplish some physical activities. “Mobil phones are in general heavy to use for a long time, but I still manage,” he said.
He can walk unassisted, but is routinely carried by one of his parents while traveling around his village.
He said he hoped his new fame will help his family, which “sometimes struggles” to find funds for his medication and treatment on top of living expenses. His father is a construction worker. Asked about the first thing he does when he wakes up, he chuckled and said: “Check my social media.”
