2ft 1in Iranian, 20, is crowned world’s shortest man

A 20-year-old Iranian who stands just over 2 feet tall has been crowned the world’s shortest man.

Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh, from a remote village in Bukan county in northern Iran, has now been recognized by Guinness World Records as the shortest man alive, standing at 2 feet 1 inch (65.24 cm) tall. .

Afshin, who has difficulty using a mobile phone because it is too heavy to hold, has not been able to attend school due to his physical weakness.

But Afshin said he hopes his newfound fame as the world’s shortest man will help him care for his parents, who have sometimes struggled to earn enough money for their son’s living expenses, treatment and medication.

Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh, from a remote village in Bukan county in northern Iran, has now been recognized by Guinness World Records as the shortest man alive, standing at 2 feet 1 inch (65.24 cm) tall. .

Afshin said he hopes his newfound fame as the world’s shortest man will help him take care of his parents (pictured together), who have sometimes struggled to earn enough money for living expenses, treatment and medication. of his son.

Afshin (pictured with his Guinness World Record award), who has difficulty using a mobile phone because it is too heavy to hold, has been unable to attend school due to his physical weakness.

‘My dream is to be able to help my parents,’ Afshin said. ‘This worldwide recognition could help me achieve my dream.’

Afshin’s short stature means he cannot follow in the footsteps of his father, Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh, as a construction worker. In fact, Afshin, who weighs just 6.5kg, has been unable to find any suitable job in his local village.

Afshin, who struggles with illiteracy and can never go to his village alone without his parents, said he has been able to connect with the rest of the world through a phone a friend sent him, but finds it difficult to use.

“Phones in general are difficult to use for a long time, but I still manage,” Afshin said. ‘I know who is the tallest man living in the world. He could fit in the palms of his hands.

Afshin, who has just learned to write his name, had to stop attending school because of how physically weak he was as a child.

“The continuous treatment and physical weakness of my son are the main reasons why he stopped studying, otherwise he has no mental problems,” said Afshin’s father.

Afshin said she has a hard time finding clothes that fit her well. He can only wear clothes that would fit a three-year-old, but the designs don’t usually work for his age anymore.

Afshin is pictured with his parents after he was awarded the Guinness World Record for being the world’s shortest man.

Afshin’s short stature means he cannot follow in the footsteps of his father, Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh, as a construction worker. In fact, Afshin, who weighs only 6.5 kg, has not been able to find any suitable job in his local village.

Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh, from a remote village in Bukan County in northern Iran, has now been recognized by Guinness World Records as the shortest man alive, standing at 2 feet 1 inch (65.24 cm) tall. .

Afshin said that after receiving the Guinness World Record in Dubai, he felt it was “a dream.”

“Just thinking about being part of the Guinness World Records family is like a dream. I find it hard to believe sometimes. It’s like you woke up the next day and the whole world now knows who you are. That’s magic,’ Afshin said.

‘I like the attention I get from people. It makes me feel special,’ she added.

Afshin has now knocked Edward Niño Hernández off the top of the world’s shortest man record.

Hernández, 36, from Bogotá, Colombia, is just 2 feet 4 inches (72.1 cm), but Afshin is three inches shorter.

Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, said: “It has been a privilege to meet Afshin and his family, and confirm him as the world’s shortest living adult man.”

“This is one of those fundamental superlatives of the human body, and receiving this official confirmation is a potentially transformative moment in the life of this charming young man.”

Glenday added: “Judging by the enthusiasm he displayed during his visit to Dubai, he is more than ready to enjoy his newfound celebrity status and become a household name.

“You’ve already checked off one item on your bucket list: visiting the top of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.”