Nepal’s shortest man could soon become world’s shortest

Nepalis are very proud that Mt. Everest—the world’s tallest peak falls in their country. Soon they could have another reason to boast of—albeit for a diametrically different reason.

Updated on: Feb 21, 2010, 16:26:46 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Nepalis are very proud that Mt. Everest—the world’s tallest peak falls in their country. Soon they could have another reason to boast of—albeit for a diametrically different reason.

Khagendra Thapa Magar (18), arguably the world’s shortest man at 22 inches left for Rome on Sunday in an attempt to lodge his name in the Guinness Book of World Records.

And many in the Himalayan nation wished him luck as he aims to dislodge He Pingping, a 22-year-old Mongolian measuring a little over 29 inches, the world’s shortest man at present.

“I am happy that so many have turned up to wish me luck,” said Khagendra in his barely audible voice at a press conference on Sunday. He basked in the attention and blew flying kisses.

In Rome, he will attend a function organized by Euro TV where Guinness book officials will conduct a series of tests on Khagendra to verify his age and measurements.

Born on October 4, 1992 in a remote village in Baglung district of Nepal, Khagendra’s parents and a foundation formed in his name have been trying to get his name registered in the record books since 2006.

But the efforts had not borne fruit as the ‘wonder boy’ had not reached maturity. According to Guinness book guidelines, to qualify for the record, Khagendra must complete 18 years.

“Khagendra attained that age last October and we are confident that this time around the record will be his,” said his father Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar.

And if that happens, Khagendra will measure an amazing 7 feet less than Robert Pershing Wadlow, the tallest man in recorded medical history at 8 feet, 11 inches.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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