World's tallest man says he's happy with height, used to...
World's tallest man says he's happy with height, used to...
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - The world's tallest man said Sunday he was happy with his height but used to wish he were "normal."
At seven feet, 8.95 inches, Xi Shun, of Mongolia, has held the world record as the globe's tallest living man since January 15, 2005, according to London-based Guinness World Records Ltd.
"Before I wanted to be normal, but now I like it," Xi Shun, a herdsman, said in an interview with The Associated Press on the sidelines of Vienna World Records Day.
Organized in association with Guinness World Records, the event was open to anyone who wanted to set a world record - or trump one that already existed. It took place in Vienna's Prater amusement park.
Dressed in a traditional embroidered blue shirt, pants and brown sandals, Xi Shun, speaking through a translator, said he lives in a house that had been built specifically for him.
Alone, his bed is 2.6 metres long, he said, adding he has to order his clothes from factories.
Xi Shun, who said he was not married and didn't have children, claims he only experienced a growth spurt in his late teens and that he had a normal height until he was about 16.
Young and old took part in the one-day event, including 43-year-old Perry Zmugg, from the Austrian city of Graz, who broke 42 chopsticks in one minute - using his neck.
And there was Franz Muellner, of Salzburg, who let a helicopter land on his shoulders. He held it for 33.6 seconds.
"I'm happy I made it," he said once the ordeal was over.
Organizers said Zmugg and Muellner set new world records.
An attempt to get 5,876 couples to kiss for at least 10 seconds straight failed
At seven feet, 8.95 inches, Xi Shun, of Mongolia, has held the world record as the globe's tallest living man since January 15, 2005, according to London-based Guinness World Records Ltd.
"Before I wanted to be normal, but now I like it," Xi Shun, a herdsman, said in an interview with The Associated Press on the sidelines of Vienna World Records Day.
Organized in association with Guinness World Records, the event was open to anyone who wanted to set a world record - or trump one that already existed. It took place in Vienna's Prater amusement park.
Dressed in a traditional embroidered blue shirt, pants and brown sandals, Xi Shun, speaking through a translator, said he lives in a house that had been built specifically for him.
Alone, his bed is 2.6 metres long, he said, adding he has to order his clothes from factories.
Xi Shun, who said he was not married and didn't have children, claims he only experienced a growth spurt in his late teens and that he had a normal height until he was about 16.
Young and old took part in the one-day event, including 43-year-old Perry Zmugg, from the Austrian city of Graz, who broke 42 chopsticks in one minute - using his neck.
And there was Franz Muellner, of Salzburg, who let a helicopter land on his shoulders. He held it for 33.6 seconds.
"I'm happy I made it," he said once the ordeal was over.
Organizers said Zmugg and Muellner set new world records.
An attempt to get 5,876 couples to kiss for at least 10 seconds straight failed
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eefanincan
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eefanincan
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eefanincan
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It is to a certain extent.... I always seemed to be asked to do lifts and transfers. It's a real disadvantage though when you're trying to help someone to walk and they're much shorter! I remember walking a little lady to the bathroom once.... she was about 97 yrs old and maybe 5 feet tall... I was practically doubled overfaceless wrote: That's some height for sure - it must have been handy dealing with patients!

World's tallest man gets married
The world's tallest man has married a woman who is 25 years younger than he is - and two-thirds of his height. After a global search for a suitable bride, herdsman Bao Xishun ended up marrying a saleswoman from his home city of Chifeng in northern China. Mr Bao, who stands at 2.36m (7ft 8.95in) tall, tied the knot with Xia Shujian, 29, several days ago.
The 54-year-old gained fame last year when he saved two dolphins by pulling dangerous plastic from their stomachs. He used his long arms to remove shards that the animals had swallowed at an aquarium in Fushun, north-east China. News of Mr Bao's wedding has delighted commentators in China. The Beijing News reported: "After sending out marriage advertisements across the world and going through a long selection process, the efforts have finally paid off."
Mr Bao was confirmed as the world's tallest living man by Guinness World Records last year. He overtook the previous holder, Radhouane Charbib of Tunisia, by just 2mm. Guinness World Records say Mr Bao was of normal height until 16 but then put on a spurt that doctors were unable to explain, reaching his full height in seven years.
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