Nepal's shortest man wants world record

AP

SMALL BID: Khagendra Thapa Magar (r) waits with his father Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar to meet the media before his journey to Europe to make a bid for the Guiness Book of Records.

A man who is only 56cm tall has left his home country of Nepal in a quest to be recognised as the world's shortest man.

Khagendra Thapa Magar is travelling to Europe to campaign for the Guinness World Record title. He applied to the London-based group for a place in the record book in October, soon after turning 18, but said he has not received any response.

Magar's family initially filed a claim when he was 14, but it was rejected because he was not an adult and there was a chance he might grow.

They say doctors in Nepal have not been able to explain why Magar is so small.

"We are going to Italy to try to record his name in the Guinness Book of World Records," his father, Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar, told reporters in Katmandu. They plan to appear on an Italian television show to talk about his bid for the title.

Once in Italy, Magar, his father and a supporter will decide on their next destination.

His supporters saw him off from the Nepalese capital on Sunday, offering flower bouquets and garlands.

The current record is held by He Pingping of China, who is 73cm tall.

- AP