Meet the world's shortest man

Edward Nino Hernandez, 24, from Bogota, Colombia, who stands at just 27-inches, won the title of World's Shortest Man on September 6.

The previous titleholder was He Pingping of China, who was 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) taller and died March 13. The Guinness people discovered Nino afterward.

"He hasn't grown since he was 2 years old," his mother, Noemi Hernandez, said of the oldest of her five living children.

But Hernandez does not have long to hold on to his title, as hot on his heels is the World's Shortest Teenager, Khagendra Thapa Magar, from Nepal, who stands at 26-inches and is an inch shorter than him.

Magar, 17, went to Rome in February where he was measured by Guinness World Records and given the title World's Shortest Teenage Boy.

He is expected to take the title from Hernandez, who weighs just 22lb, when he turns 18 on October 14.

But Nino is unperturbed with the prospect of losing his reign as the world's shortest man on such a small time.

He maintains that he is happy he was recognized in the first place and says that every person is unique and different.

He also hopes that his title will help him find fame.

"I want to travel, go to places like New York, Argentina and meet famous people and go to Hollywood," the Sun quoted him as saying.

"With the title I also hope to work on movies as an actor. With this record I will become more famous," he stated.

The BBC quoted Hernandez's mother as saying that doctors in the Colombian capital, Bogota, never explained why he had grown only 40cm since birth.

Nohemi said doctors at the National University studied him until he was three and then lost interest.

Her youngest child, 11-year-old Miguel Angel, is himself only 93cm (37in) tall.

What's more, he even has a girfriend - named Fanny and measures just under 5ft, he said.

Hernandez will be featured in 2011's edition of the Guinness World Record book.