World’ Tallest Man Stands Tall Despite a Difficult Life November 8
27 year old Sultan Kosen is leaving his home in Turkey to see the world. As the world’s tallest man at 8 feet and 1 inch Kosen made an appearance in the Today show September 21st as onlookers took in the gentle giant. There, Kosen was presented with a plaque honoring his world’s tallest man status in Guinness’ Book of World Records, the tallest the book has recorders in 20 years. Kosen said that he was proud to have the honor and happy to have achieved one of his dreams.
This trip is Kosen’s first real look at the world outside of his tiny village, one of many firsts that will come this season as he travels as part of a promotional tour put on by Guinness that will make stops in LA, Austria, Spain, Portugal and Italy before he returns home.
From a town of 320 in eastern Turkey where he dealt with teasing as a child and young adult and where now he is a hero, Kosen has had to deal with many complicated steps to reach this point in his life. At the age of 10 a tumor was found behind his eyes which pressed on his pituitary gland and caused him to grow even after the tumor was removed. His growth continued until last year when a series of surgeries finally brought it to a stop last year.
By that time his height had already begin to affect his health through excess stress on his knees which leaves him unable to stand for long periods and need the use of a cane. Kosen’s family lives on a very limited income which means that they can’t really afford his physiotherapy and the remote location of the village means a 17 hour trip to get that therapy.
Now that Kosen is being recognized by Guinness (both for his height and his hands, the world’s largest at 10,8 inches) his height is something he can be proud of. Guinness is making great efforts to help Kosen achieve a better life as they’re touring with him to promote the 2010 edition of the popular records book, among those efforts is a potential documentary about his life.
Tags: guiness, kosen, sultan kosen, wordl records, world' tallest man