Sultan Kösen
Sultan Kösen | |
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Born | [1] Mardin, Turkey |
10 December 1982
Nationality | Turkish |
Occupation | Farmer |
Known for | Tallest living man |
Height | 251 cm (8 ft 3 in)[2] |
Weight | 137 kg (302 lb; 21.6 st) |
Spouse(s) | Merve Dibo (2013−present) |
Sultan Kösen (Turkish: [suɫtɑn køsen]; born 10 December 1982 in Mardin, Turkey) is a Turkish farmer who holds the Guinness World Record for tallest living male at 251 centimetres (8 ft 3 in).[3]
His growth resulted from a tumour affecting his pituitary gland. His stature is such that he must use crutches in order to walk.[4]
Contents
Biography
Kösen lives with his parents, three brothers and sister, who are all of typical height. He was unable to complete his education because of his height, so instead works part time as a farmer.[5] Despite his height, he claims to enjoy a normal lifestyle and enjoys playing computer games with his friends.[6] He describes the advantages of being tall as seeing a great distance and being able to help his family with domestic tasks such as changing light bulbs and hanging curtains. He lists disadvantages as not being able to find clothes (inside leg measuring 44.5 inches (113 cm) and sleeve length measuring 38 inches (97 cm) or shoes that fit or finding it difficult to fit into an average-sized car.[citation needed]
Starting in 2010, Kösen received Gamma Knife treatment for his pituitary tumour at the University of Virginia Medical School and has also been provided with medication to control his excessive levels of growth hormone. Although the full effect of the treatment takes up to two years, as of 2011, his hormone levels were almost normal.[4] It was confirmed in March 2012 that the treatment had been effective in halting Kösen's growth.[7]
In October 2013, Kösen married Syrian-born Merve Dibo, who is ten years Kösen's junior.[8] In his interview he said that his biggest problem with his wife is the communication problem, not that he is much taller than his wife. He said he speaks Kurdish and Turkish but his wife speaks only Arabic. [9]
On 13 November 2014, as part of Guinness World Records Day, Kösen met, for the first time, the world's shortest living man, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, at an event in London.[10]
Records
Kösen's standing height was recorded at Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). in his home country by Guinness World Records, on 25 August 2009, overtaking former world record holder Bao Xishun who stands Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). tall.[11] Kösen also holds the current Guinness record for the largest hands at 27.5 cm, and the second largest feet at 36.5 cm (left foot) and 35.5 cm (right foot).[11]
On 25 August 2010, according to University of Virginia, A height of up to Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). has been confirmed by doctors and there is a possibility that really is his height with a correction of scoliosis and bad posture.[12] But officially, Guiness says he's 2 inches shorter.
On 9 February 2011, Kösen was measured by Guinness World Records at 251 cm (8 ft 3 in).[3]
References
- ↑ Guinness World Records 2009 page 73
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bodyshock: World's Tallest Man: Looking for Love at channel4.com broadcast 26 May 2011
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sultan Kösen. |
Preceded by | Tallest Recognized Person 17 September 2009 – |
Succeeded by Incumbent |