72-year-old Nepalese man claims to be shortest man

A 72-year-old man from western Nepal is hoping to prove to Guinness World Records that he's the world's shortest man.

Chandra Bahadur Dangi claims to be only 56 centimetres tall.

Guinness World Records currently recognises Junrey Balawing of the Philippines, who is 60 centimetres tall, as the shortest man in the world.

Dangi's nephew Dolak Dangi said Tuesday that his uncle would meet with Guinness officials in the capital, Katmandu, in the next few days to be measured.

Guinness World Records did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment.

Another Nepalese man, Khagendra Thapa Magar, was known as the world's shortest man, at 67 centimetres, before Balawing took over the title on his 18th birthday in June.