Shortest man dead, Nepal teen set to enter record books

For nearly four years now, Khagendra Thapa Magar, a 17-year-old from Nepal, has been trying to get global recognition as the world's shortest man. It seems that record will soon be his.

Updated on: Mar 16, 2010, 17:33:35 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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For nearly four years now, Khagendra Thapa Magar, a 17-year-old from Nepal, has been trying to get global recognition as the world's shortest man. It seems that record will soon be his.

With BBC confirming death of the current record holder He Pingping in Rome on Saturday due to heart complications, Khagendra is all set to enter the Guinness Book of World Records when he turns 18 in a few months.

Pingping, a 21-year-old from the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia, was 29 inches tall. On the other hand, the new claimant from Nepal who had stepped up efforts to dethrone his predecessor in recent weeks is only 22 inches.

Khagendra and his father returned from Italy last month after another unsuccessful attempt at dislodging Pingping. Guinness officials stated that although the Nepali teenager was the shortest person-he will have to turn 18 to hold the record.

Documents shown by Khagendra's family at Rome indicated that he was born on October 4, 1992. But despite Pingping's death, Khagendra will have to celebrate another birthday before he enters the record books.

"It's sad news. We had met Pingping in Rome last month and he seemed in good health," Khagendra'a father Rup Bahadur told HT. "With no other claimant for the record, we hope Guinness will soon give the recognition to my son."

Khagendra and his family who hail from a remote village in Baglung district of Nepal are hoping that the recognition will bring them fame, chance to travel the world and also a bride for the short guy.

Pingping who got the Guinness honour in 2008 entertained millions across the globe while travelling with other record holders. Khagendra's supporters in Nepal hope that he will soon get to perform that role and earn name for the country as well.

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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