A teenage boy the size of a one-year-old toddler is set to be crowned the smallest man in the world. Junrey Balawing will be given the title by Guinness World Records on Sunday as he celebrates his 18th birthday.
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At a mere 23 inches (58cm) tall, the Filipino is about three inches shorter than the current record holder.
The ajudicators for Guinness World Records have reportedly arrived at the teen's home in the southern Philippines to officially measure him.
Guinness' editor-in-chief Craig Glenday said they would measure Junrey three times over a 24 hour period in the lead up to giving him the title.
"And if all accounts are to be believed, he should be about 22 inches, so this would make him the smallest person ever measured," he said.
Junrey's mother Concepcion and father Reynaldo along with the local government are preparing to celebrate the expected Guinness announcement with balloons and cake. The proud parents said they were happy about their son being named the smallest living man - giving him two things to celebrate on his birthday.
Junrey reportedly stopped growing before he turned two years old. He suffers a series of medical conditions and can only walk with some help, finding it to painful to stand for long periods of time. Lolit Homay, municipal health officer in Zamboanga del Norte province's Sindangan township, said he measured Junrey at slightly above 23 inches (58cm) on Saturday.Current record holder Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal is 26.4 inches (67cm) tall.
