• Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh has been officially named the world's shortest living man by Guinness World Records. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh has been officially named the world's shortest living man by Guinness World Records. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Ghaderzadeh, who is from Iran, stands at 65.24cm
    Ghaderzadeh, who is from Iran, stands at 65.24cm
  • The new record holder attended the Dubai ceremony with his parents
    The new record holder attended the Dubai ceremony with his parents
  • He described receiving the record as a 'dream'
    He described receiving the record as a 'dream'
  • Ghaderzadeh was born in and has grown up in the West Azerbaijan Province in Northern Iran
    Ghaderzadeh was born in and has grown up in the West Azerbaijan Province in Northern Iran
  • His height was officially recorded at a ceremony in Dubai on December 15
    His height was officially recorded at a ceremony in Dubai on December 15
  • Speaking of Ghaderzadeh, Guinness World Records editor in chief Craig Glenday said: 'We haven't got a specific diagnosis, but we know it's a form of primordial dwarfism'
    Speaking of Ghaderzadeh, Guinness World Records editor in chief Craig Glenday said: 'We haven't got a specific diagnosis, but we know it's a form of primordial dwarfism'
  • Since arriving in Dubai, Ghaderzadeh has taken a tour of the city
    Since arriving in Dubai, Ghaderzadeh has taken a tour of the city
  • He says the record 'makes him feel special'
    He says the record 'makes him feel special'
  • Ghaderzadeh is embraced by his parents at the Dubai Guinness World Record plaque ceremony
    Ghaderzadeh is embraced by his parents at the Dubai Guinness World Record plaque ceremony
  • Ghaderzadeh's mother is always by his side, his family say
    Ghaderzadeh's mother is always by his side, his family say

Meet the world's shortest man, Iran's Afshin Ghaderzadeh, at 65cm


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Afshin Ghaderzadeh's confidence was immediately apparent as he walked into a room with eager reporters in Dubai on Thursday, smiling and waving to cameras.

Flying in from Iran, where he was born, Ghaderzadeh was about to be declared the world's shortest living man by Guinness World Records. He walked into the room and was lifted on to the table to receive his plaque.

Ghaderzadeh, 20, stands at 65.24cm, earning him the Guinness shortest man living record. He has surpassed the previous title-holder, Colombia's Edward Hernandez, who measured 70.21cm tall when he was first recognised in 2010. Hernandez was remeasured as 72.1cm in 2020 by Guinness World Records.

Afshin Ghaderzadeh with his parents and a Guinness World Records adjudicator at a press conference in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Afshin Ghaderzadeh with his parents and a Guinness World Records adjudicator at a press conference in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

“Just thinking about being a part of the Guinness World Records family is like a dream,” Ghaderzadeh said, adding, to “wake up the next day and the entire world knows who you are, that's magical”.

Ghaderzadeh was born and grew up in the West Azerbaijan Province in Northern Iran and enjoys some local fame because of his height. He is known for his kind and outgoing personality.

It has not been easy for him and his parents, who also attended the Dubai ceremony on Thursday. Ghaderzadeh is home-schooled, as he is unable to attend school, and struggles to do everyday things independently, sometimes even walking. His mother said she always needs to be by his side.

Afshin Ghaderzadeh is embraced by his parents. Pawan Singh / The National
Afshin Ghaderzadeh is embraced by his parents. Pawan Singh / The National

Ghaderzadeh, who weighs 5.6 kilograms, has not been officially diagnosed with a condition that has affected his height.

“We haven't got a specific diagnosis, but we know it's a form of primordial dwarfism,” Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, tells The National.

He said the recognition could allow Ghaderzadeh's family to seek medical attention, which otherwise has been difficult for them because of their limited access to medical care.

“A good example would be Sultan Kosen, the tallest man right now. He had a pituitary gland tumour that caused excess growth hormones. By having the record, he came to the attention of the world's media, on a day like today, and a doctor who saw the press conference said, 'Oh we can fix this',” Glenday said.

Ghaderzadeh was very eager to talk to reporters at the ceremony, saying he enjoys the attention. “It makes me feel special.”

It was his first time flying out of his home town, and he has already taken a tour of Dubai.

His height does not seem to stop him living life to the fullest. He loves football and is a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and former Iranian national captain Ali Daei in particular. He thinks France are going to win the World Cup.

Ghaderzadeh loves to sing and dance, and although he struggles to accomplish some physical activities, he can hold a plank for two minutes.

Asked about the first thing he does when he wakes up, he chuckles and says: “Check my social media.”

ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Company%20profile
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Sun jukebox

Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.

Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)

Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)

Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.

Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

MATCH INFO

Manchester United 2 (Heaton (og) 42', Lindelof 64')

Aston Villa 2 (Grealish 11', Mings 66')

Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

Cracks in the Wall

Ben White, Pluto Press 

'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

Updated: December 15, 2022, 2:39 PM