Friday, January 15, 2010

Tallest man meets the Smallest

Worlds apart: The moment the tallest man meets the smallest for the first time

By Adrienne Agg
Last updated at 10:36 PM on 14th January 2010

It could hardly be called a face-to-face encounter, and conversation must have been a little difficult.
But as they met for the first time, Sultan Kosen, the world's tallest man at 8ft 1in, and He PingPing, the world's smallest at 2ft 5.4in, clearly had a mutual respect.
The Turkish farm labourer and the pint-sized man from China were happy to pose at an event in Istanbul to mark the opening of the new Guinness World Records Live! Roadshow.
He PingPing stands in the shadow of Sultan Kosen as they meet for the first time
Smallest meets tallest: He PingPing stands in the shadow of Sultan Kosen as they meet for the first time
It kicks off six weeks of record-breaking at the Forum Istanbul where members of the public can attempt to smash 50 different records.
Kosen said: 'I've wanted to meet Pingping ever since I was awarded the title "tallest man" and I'm really happy that he was willing to travel to Turkey so we could both take part in the launch celebration of Guinness World Records Live! at Forum Istanbul - I can't wait to show him around our beautiful city.'
Also the world record holder for the largest hands and feet, Kosen, 27, seized the title of world's tallest man from China's Bao Xishun last September, beating his rival by 10cm.
He Pingping just manages to wrap his tiny hand around one of Kosen's massive fingers
Hanging on: He Pingping just manages to wrap his tiny hand around one of Kosen's massive fingers
Born and raised in the Mardin province of Turkey, Kosen's height is due to a condition known as pituitary gigantism.

After a series of surgeries to remove the tumor which was causing his excess growth, Kosen stopped growing in 2008.
At the opposite end, He PingPing, 21, suffers from a condition known as Primordial Dwarfism.
Kosen looks warily down as He PingPing negotiates around the world's tallest man's feet
Watch where you're walking: Kosen looks warily down as He PingPing negotiates around the world's tallest man's feet
According to his father, at birth he was small enough to fit into the palm of his parent's hand.
He lives with his family in Inner Mongolia, China and has travelled the world since being recognised by Guinness World Records. 

Last year, He PingPing met Svetlana Pankratova, the woman with the world's longest legs - measuring 51.96in long.
Sultan and Pingping
My big pal: The tiny Chinaman can fit entirely on Sultan's shoe

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