Sultan Kösen, 40, who measures 8ft 3in, proudly flaunted his Tallest Man in the World certificate following reports that Sulemana Abdul Samed stands at 9ft 6in.
Beanpole Sulemana, 29, gained attention across the world after doctors estimated his height 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, 40.
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, for being the tallest living person and for having the world’s biggest hands.
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.’
Mr Samed has Marfan syndrome, a growth disorder of the body’s connective tissues, which children usually inherit from one of their parents.
He needs to wear shoes made of tyres that were nailed together for him by a local handyman.
Sultan Kösen, 40, poses in the Dede village of Mardin, Turkey on January 3, 2023
In Ghana, where Mr Samed is famous, many call him the ‘friendly giant’. He is also known as Awuche, which means ‘Let’s Go’ in Hausa.
He was forced to abandon his dream of being a driver, due to his health, and went back to his village from the capital Accra.
The tallest man of all time was Robert Wadlow from the US, who was 8ft 11.1in when he died in 1940.
Although Mr Samed was diagnosed with gigantism years ago, medical staff in the rural district struggled to find equipment big enough to measure his height.
As reports of his unofficial record spread online, a BBC reporter came to meet him with a 16ft measuring tape.
He asked a neighbour to stand on a chair and mark Mr Samed’s 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. He has grown another two inches since then
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.
Mr Kösen became the world’s tallest living man in 2009 when he was 8ft 1in at the age of 26. He has grown another two inches since then.
