A 23.5-inch Filipino is the shortest man in the world, Guinness World Records' editor in chief said Sunday, the man's 18th birthday.
Junrey Balawing of Sindangan in Zamboanga del Norte province had the title of world's shortest man bestowed on him after a final measurement in front of his townspeople, ABS-CBN News reported.
"I can't imagine anyone else being quite so small," the Philippines news network quoted Guinness Editor in Chief Craig Glenday as saying.
The Manila Bulletin said Balawing, whose parents and three siblings are of normal heights, has a hard time walking and can't stand for very long. He was frequently sick as an infant and his growth virtually stopped at the age of 2, the newspaper said.
Doctors have been unable to find a medical remedy for hiss physical condition, the newspaper said.