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Late smallest man’s unfulfilled wish: getting married

2010-03-23 15:37 BJT

HE is a native of Inner Mongolia, also the hometown of the former tallest man

He was born in July 1988 in Wulanchabu City, Inner Mongolia. Bao Xishun, who is 2.36 meters tall and the former holder of the title of the world's tallest man, also comes from Inner Mongolia. He suffers from dwarfism, and as a result, he is shorter than other people. When He was 18 years old, he had stopped growing. In 2008, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized He as the world's shortest man at 74.6 centimeters.  

After He became famous, he went abroad regularly to promote the Guinness Book of World Records together with other holders of world records. In September 2008, He paid a visit to London, and took photos with Russia's Svetlana Pankratova, the woman with the world's longest legs, to publicize the 2009 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records. In early 2010, He went to Turkey's Istanbul to take photos with Sultan Kosen, the world's tallest man who stands 2.47 meters.

He has encouraging smiles

Craig Glenday, the editor-in-chief of the Guinness Book of World Records, was deeply saddened by He's death. Glenday said, "For such a small man, he made a huge impact around the world. When I first met him, I knew he is very special: He always smiles, and is very mischievous. You can't help liking him. He lights up the lives of people he knows, and is an inspiration to anyone considered different or unusual."

Nepal's Khagendra Thapa Magar will replace He to be the world's shortest man. In February 2010, Guinness World Records confirmed that the Nepalese is 56 centimeters tall and weighs five kilograms. When Khagendra Thapa Magar is 18 years old this October, he will formally become the world’s shortest man.

Biggest regret is never being able to get married

He Pingping died at an early age, carrying with him an unrealized dream of finding his soul mate.

Three years ago, when applying for the Guiness Book of World Records, He Yun, He Pingping's father said "I am content that Pingping grew to the height he did, when he was born, Pingping only weighed about 1 pound, and was smaller than a man's palm. The midwife asked me if I want a boy that was too little to survive, and my answer was yes."

He Pingping has two older sisters of normal height, and the whole family sees Pingping as precious and has nicknamed him "the Thumb Boy." He Pingping drank goat milk with the thinnest tube because his mouth was too small at his birth. When he was three and four years old, He learned to walk and talk and grew a little bit. According to He Yun, Pingping never went to school because he needed assistance 24/7 and with the busy farming work that the family needed to do, there was no time to help him at school. Later on, when conditions permitted, there was no longer a school available.

He Pingping developed a habit of smoking when he was a child. He Yun said that his son learned about smoking from the peddlers who visited their village. He Pingping liked playing with the peddlers who often joked about him and tempted him with cigarettes, which eventually led to his addiction.

Small as he is, He, Pingping longed for true love and marriage just as much as anyone else. He was asked 2 years ago whether he had ever considered starting a relationship. Though he was too shy to say yes at that time, his elder sister revealed that he had talked about his desire for a partner when there were no strangers around. It is such a pity that he has passed way, leaving this wish unrealized.

Editor: Shi Taoyang | Source: CCTV.com