adminA Filipino teenager is about to become the world’s smallest man – at just 55,8cm tall.
Junrey Balawing (17), who is tinier than a one-year-old, will take the title when he turns 18 in June, reports The Sun.
He is a full 12,7cm shorter than the current record holder, Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal.
Junrey has not grown since his first birthday.
He struggles to walk and cannot stand up for long.
But he beams with pride when talking about his likely world record.
“If I were the smallest man in the world, it would be very cool,” he said.
Junrey lives with his parents and three younger – but bigger – siblings in a village in a remote region of the Phillipines’ Zamboanga del Norte province. He has to stay at home with his mum, Concepcion, while his sisters Jaycel (13) and Jeanritch (six), and 11-year-old brother Jay-art go to school.
Concepcion (35) says: “He needs my care every minute of every day.
“Junrey can only walk with some help and he can’t stand for too long because he’s in too much pain.”
Blacksmith dad Reynaldo (37) works away for most of the week but when he is home Junrey enjoys sitting on his shoulders and going for a wander in the village.
A Guinness World Records spokesman said last night: “We are looking to review the claim when Junrey Balawing turns 18, which is when candidates for this title can officially apply for the record.” – orange.co.uk
Bongani Ndlovu
- Chronicle , SundayNews
- June 4, 2026
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