Thursday, April 16, 2009
By: The Sun
A soaring contender for world’s tallest man — standing at more than 8-feet tall — caused quite a stir after walking into a Chinese hospital.
Zhao Liang, 27, entered the hospital for an operation to relieve pain from an old muscle tendon injury on his left foot. Due to his unbelievable height, hospital staff immediately rushed to get him properly measured.
What they found was that he stands just under 8-feet, 1-inches tall, making him 4-inches taller than Bao Xishun — who is currently listed as the world's tallest man. He stands at 7-feet, 9-inches in comparison.
Zhao, who lives in Henan province, had been training as a basketball player when he sustained the debilitating foot injury over a decade ago.
Zhao’s parents are of average height, with his father measuring 5-feet, 9-inches tall and his mother at 5-feet, 5-inches.
Bao Xishun, 57, is currently recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest man.
Zhao’s height has not yet been independently verified by the Guinness judges.