Chandra Bahadur Dangi (1939-2015) was the Nepalese citizen who was recognized in February 2012 for being the smallest man in the world. He held this distinction until 2015 when he died. Chandra was 54.6 cm tall, and he earned his title by stripping Filipino Junrey Balawing, who was 59.9 cm tall, the title of "Shortest Man Alive."
The Guinness World Records organization (a company that records world records) conferred this distinction on him when Chandra was 72 years old. In addition, the company recognized him as the "Shortest Man of All Time."
By Krish Dulal, from Wikimedia Commons
Chandra Bahadur Dangi lived in an isolated Nepalese village called Reem Kholi in the Dang district, about 540 kilometers southwest of the capital Kathmandu. The town where Chandra lived had about 200 houses. It had no television service and a few solar panels were what supplied the community with electricity.
After being awarded, he confessed that despite his age he had never taken any type of medicine. Nor had he gone to a medical consultation to be examined. Similarly, he stated that he hoped to use his newfound fame to travel the world.
Biography
Dangi was born in Kalimati, Salyan district of Nepal, on November 30, 1939. According to the press learned, he had never left his hometown. Upon being recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's shortest man in 2012, he began a series of trips around the world promoting his country, Nepal.
On the other hand, the press mentioned that Chandra Bahadur Dangi does not remember his father or mother. According to Chandra himself, they died when he was 16 years old, when his older brother and his closest family took care of him.
Chandra is the seventh in a family of six brothers and two sisters. The causes of its small size are unknown, although it is known that three of his five siblings were less than one and a half meters tall. The rest were of average height.
There was the aggravation of the lack of medical records because Chandra had never visited a hospital or been ill before. However, some doctors took the risk to suggest congenital dwarfism, but this was never proven.
Regarding her occupation, her friends commented that Chandra spent her days making placemats and head straps for villagers to move heavy loads on their backs. They also said that he helped care for the buffaloes and cows in the village.
Guinness Award
Chandra's discovery was made by a forestry contractor. One day he was working around Dangui's village and he saw it. Immediately, he reported to the media about his find and the information reached Guinness, whose representatives traveled to the town.
The Guinness team consisted of a doctor and an executive from the organization, who applied a series of tests. Once they verified the height and verified that they were in front of the smallest person in the world, they proceeded to give him recognition.
Regarding this award, Chandra commented that becoming a record holder had given her the opportunity to fulfill her life's dream. In her hometown, although she had never left it, she treasured the idea of traveling around the world. She stated that she was proud to represent Nepal in the countries she visited.
Meeting with other Guinness Records
On November 13, 2014, Chandra Bahadur Dangi had the opportunity to meet the tallest man in the world and the smallest woman in the world, meeting that took place on Guinness World Records Day.
Sultan Kosen, from Turkey, distinguished as the tallest man in the world with his 2.51 m, made an immediate friendship with Chandra. In his favor, he commented that immediately when he saw his eyes, he realized that he was a good person and recognized that both had had similar struggles throughout their lives.
Death
Chandra died of pneumonia in 2015 at the age of 75, three years after entering the Guinness World Records, while touring as a circus attraction. The tour was at the time on the Polynesian island of Pago Pago in American Samoa.
According to a report issued by the hospital, Chandra was admitted with a respiratory problem that became more complicated as time passed. In his last days, he had to be connected to a life support system and took his last breath on the morning of Friday the 3rd.
When news of Bahadur Dangi's death broke, there was a commotion within the Guinness World Records organization. Immediately, the prestigious group issued a statement to the press in which it declared its regret for the news.
He also sent his word of encouragement to his family members. On the other hand, he affirmed that the record obtained by Chandra was iconic and that his extraordinary achievements will endure in the annals of the organization.
References
- Guinness World Records News. (2012, February 26). World's shortest man: All you need to know about Chandra Bahadur Dangi. Taken from guinnessworldrecords.com
- Payne, J. (2012). The World's Fastest Spookiest Smelliest Strongest Book. London: Michael O'Mara Books.
- Staufenberg, J. (2015, September 5). World's shortest man Chandra Bahadur Dangi dies aged 75. Taken from independent.co.uk.
- Lentz III, HM (2016). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2015. North Carolina: McFarland
- Shrestha, M. (2012, February 27). Nepalese man named shortest ever in history. Taken from edition.cnn.com.
- Hills, S. and Baker, D. (2012, February 28). It's hard work being this short: 21.5 inch-tall Nepalese farmer, 72, is confirmed as the world's smallest man. Taken from dailymail.co.uk.