Pokhara - A Nepalese fruit seller's son with the body of a toddler turned 18 on Thursday, reaching the big day when he can claim the Guinness record for world's shortest man.
Doctors and Guinness World Records officials took final measurements of Khagendra Thapa Magar's height and weight on Thursday, just hours before they were expected to hand him the title.
Magar's family have campaigned for years to get him the crown, but earlier requests to Guinness were rejected because of the possibility he might grow. Magar is expected to overtake Edward Nino Hernandez of Colombia, who measures a relatively towering 70 centimetres.
Guinness official Marco Frigatti said Magar's measurements would be announced later on Thursday in his hometown of Pokhara, a resort town 200 kilometres west of Katmandu. He is expected to be declared just under 66 centimetres tall.
On Thursday morning, Magar and his family excitedly welcomed journalists to their rented home, where Magar jumped on the kitchen table and made tea for the press and family members.
He also received presents for his 18th and danced to the sound of a toy drum.
Magar, who weighs just over 5,5kg, was tiny even at birth, weighing just 600g. His father says he has no explanation for why he never grew taller - his younger brother is a normal height for a boy of 13.
Local doctors are stumped, but lack facilities for detailed testing.
Magar's doctor for the past five years says he has the body of a three-year-old.
“His body structure is like that of a small child and he also thinks and behaves in that manner,” Hum Prasad Newpane said.
Magar - who already travels as part of a dancing troupe when he isn't helping out his parents in their fruit shop - seems ready for the media spotlight that will accompany his new title.
Next year he is to serve as a government-appointed goodwill ambassador as his nation celebrates Visit Nepal Year.
“I am very happy and excited,” he said. - Sapa-AP