You’re 9ft 6in? That’s a tall story! World’s tallest man shoots down challenger’s bid for the title

You’re 9ft 6in? That’s a tall story! World’s tallest man shoots down challenger’s bid for the title after his height was ‘guessed’ by doctors – only for it to be verified as quite a bit shorter…

• Sultan Kösen, 40, who measures 8ft 3in, still maintains he is world’s tallest man
• There have been reports that Sulemana Abdul Samed stands at 9ft 6in
• However, a journalist who went to visit him measured his height at 7ft 4in

Sultan Kösen, 40, who measures 8ft 3in, proudly flaunted his Tallest Man in the World certificate following reports that Sulemana Abdul Samed had overtaken him.

Beanpole Sulemana, 29, gained attention across the world after doctors estimated his height at 9ft 6in at a rural clinic in Ghana, where the staff lacked the correct equipment to measure him.

He was attending a monthly appointment to deal with health complications.

The unverified record would make him the tallest man in history – 15 inches higher than Mr Kösen.

Sultan Kösen, 40, who measures 8ft 3in, proudly flaunted his certificate an during an interview with Anadolu Agency in the Dede village of Mardin, Turkey on January 3, 2023

There have been reports that Sulemana Abdul Samed (pictured left), 29, stands at 9ft 6in. Sultan Kösen (pictured right), 40, is the world’s tallest man, measuring 8ft 3in

Guinness World Records recognises Mr Kösen, a Turkish farmer, as the tallest living person.

He told Andalou news agency today in the Dede village of Mardin, Turkey: ‘I have the biggest feet in the world. I wear size 61 shoes.

‘I also own the largest hands in the world. My records are registered. I am world cultural heritage.

‘I hear some news saying, “Sultan’s record is over, there are people taller than Sultan”.

‘If there is, let’s measure our height.’

Mr Kösen added: ‘I’ve held my record for 14 years. I will not lose my record to anyone. I’m determined about it.’

Pictured: Sultan Kösen, 40, poses in the Dede village of Mardin, Turkey on January 3, 2023

Mr Samed has Marfan syndrome, a growth disorder of the body’s connective tissues, which children usually inherit from one of their parents.

In Ghana, where he is a local celebrity, many call him the ‘friendly giant’. Mr Samed is also known as Awuche, which means ‘Let’s Go’ in Hausa. He was diagnosed with gigantism a few years ago.

Mr Samed was forced to abandon his dream of being a driver, due to his health, and returned to his village from the capital, Accra.

As reports of Mr Samed’s unofficial record spread online, a BBC reporter came to visit him.

He asked a neighbour to stand on a chair and mark his height with a piece of charcoal against a wall. The tape measure recorded 7ft 4in.

Mr Samed said: ‘The way they measure me, I cannot say everything is perfect.

‘I’m still growing tall. Who knows, maybe one day I may get to that height too.

‘Every three months of four months I grow.

‘If you’ve not seen me for three months and you see me, you’d realised I have increased.’

Mr Kösen became the world’s tallest living man in 2009 when he was 8ft 1in at the age of 26

Ethiopia’s tallest man, Nagawo Jimaa, who is 7ft 4.6in, posted a photo on Facebook beside one of Mr Samed with the message: ‘Never give up’.

An earlier post read: ‘Bring him if you want – this guy will not be taller than me.’

Guinness World Records said it is aware of only ten confirmed or reliable cases in history of people hitting the 8ft mark.

Morteza Mehrzad, 35, of Iran and Brahim Takioullah, 40, from Morocco, both hold the record for second tallest living man at 8ft 1in.

Around 50 living people have reached 7ft 5in or above.

The tallest man of all time was Robert Wadlow, from the US, who was 8ft 11in when he died in 1940.

Mr Kösen became the world’s tallest living man in 2009 when he measured 8ft 1in at the age of 26.

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