The world's shortest man, dies aged 2101:47 16/03/2010, Aidan Jones, China, editorial, guardian.co.uk, Italy, world news, Guardian Unlimited

The world's shortest man, dies aged 2101:47 16/03/2010, Aidan Jones, China, editorial, guardian.co.uk, Italy, world news, Guardian Unlimited

The world's shortest man, He Pingping, who was just 2 feet 5 inches (74.6cm) tall, has died in Rome.

He, who was from China, died on Saturday in the Italian capital, where he participated in a television program after being admitted to hospital with chest pains. He was 21 years old.

Born in Wulanchabu in the region of Inner Mongolia, northern China, with a form of primordial dwarfism, he officially became the world's smallest man in 2008 when the Guinness World Records was measured at 74.6cm.

Craig Glenday, editor in chief of the London-based Guinness World Records is measured in his hometown in China.

"For such a little man, who made a huge impact on everyone," he said. "From the moment I set eyes on him I knew he was someone special - so he had a cheeky smile and mischievous personality, could not but be pleased with him. Lit up the lives of everybody he met and was an inspiration to anyone considered different or unusual. "

He, who at birth was no bigger than the palm of the hand of his father, was a chain smoker and apparently a womanizer despite his height.

Inner Mongolia is also the home of Bao Xishun, the world's tallest man old.

Guinness World Records said that he is the successor will be announced at a later date.

Khagendra Thapa Magar, 18, of Nepal, reportedly, 51 cm tall, believed to be the legitimate holder of the title. He traveled to Europe last year to pressure the Guinness World Records to measure him for the award.

China
Italy
Aidan Jones


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