Chandra Bahadur Dangi and Jyoti Amge were born 54 years and hundreds of miles apart in different countries, but it was their height that brought them together. Dangi, the world’s shortest male, and Amge, the world’s shortest female, met for the first time earlier this year with a little help from Guinness World Records.
Wearing traditional garb from their respective home countries, the pair enjoyed a cheerful first meeting in April that was full of smiles and laughter, according to Guinness World Records officials. Pictures of the union — the first time two such record-holders have met — will be featured in the soon-to-be-released “Guinness World Records 2013” book.
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“It was an extraordinary moment; they’re both such incredible individuals. Everyone knew this was a special moment, and the atmosphere was magical,” Guinness World Records adjudicator Marco Frigatti said in a statement.
Amge, who lives in Nagpur, India, was named the shortest living woman at 24.7 inches on Dec. 16, 2011, just after turning 18. The young woman’s stature seems to have had no effect on the size of her dreams; she has said she hopes to become a successful Bollywood actress.
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Dangi, 72, stands at 21.5 inches tall and was crowned the shortest man in Guinness’ 57-year history in February. Prior to the announcement, the record-holder had never ventured far from his remote village of Rhimkholi, Nepal.
“It’s a big thing for my family, my village and my country,” Dangi said in a press release. “I am very happy.”
“Guinness World Records 2013” will be released on Sept. 13.