Sultan Kosen
Encyclopedia
Sultan Kösen holds the Guinness World Record for tallest living male at .
His growth has resulted from a tumour affecting his pituitary gland
. His stature is such that he must use crutches in order to walk.
Kösen lives with his parents, three brothers and sister, who are all of normal height. He was unable to complete his schooling because of his height and works part-time as a farmer. Despite his height he claims to enjoy a normal lifestyle and enjoys playing computer games with his friends. He describes the advantages of being tall as seeing a great distance, being able to help his family with domestic jobs such as changing light bulbs and hanging curtains. He lists disadvantages as not being able to find clothes (inside leg measuring 44.5 inches (113 cm) and sleeve length measuring 38 inches (96.5 cm)) or shoes (size 28) that fit or finding it extremely hard to fit into a regular sized car.
Kösen has undergone Gamma Knife treatment for his pituitary tumour at the University of Virginia
Medical School and has also been provided with medication to control his excessive levels of growth hormone. Although the full effect of the treatment takes up to two years, as of 2011, his hormone levels were almost normal.
On 9 February 2011, Kösen was measured by Guinness at .
His growth has resulted from a tumour affecting his pituitary gland
Pituitary gland
In vertebrate anatomy the pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5 g , in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity covered by a dural fold...
. His stature is such that he must use crutches in order to walk.
Kösen lives with his parents, three brothers and sister, who are all of normal height. He was unable to complete his schooling because of his height and works part-time as a farmer. Despite his height he claims to enjoy a normal lifestyle and enjoys playing computer games with his friends. He describes the advantages of being tall as seeing a great distance, being able to help his family with domestic jobs such as changing light bulbs and hanging curtains. He lists disadvantages as not being able to find clothes (inside leg measuring 44.5 inches (113 cm) and sleeve length measuring 38 inches (96.5 cm)) or shoes (size 28) that fit or finding it extremely hard to fit into a regular sized car.
Kösen has undergone Gamma Knife treatment for his pituitary tumour at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
Medical School and has also been provided with medication to control his excessive levels of growth hormone. Although the full effect of the treatment takes up to two years, as of 2011, his hormone levels were almost normal.
Records
Kösen's height was recorded at 2.47 metre in his home country by Guinness World Records, on 25 August 2009, overtaking former world record holder Bao Xishun who stands 2.36 metre tall. Kösen also holds the current Guinness record for the largest hands at 27.5 cm.On 9 February 2011, Kösen was measured by Guinness at .