On 8 February 2011, Sultan Kösen (Turkey) is measured to stand at an impressive 251 cm (8 ft 3 in) in the Turkish capital, Ankara, confirming his status as the tallest human being on Earth. 
 
Stretching 28.5 cm (11.22 in) from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger, his hands also become record-breakers when they are verified as the largest hands on a living person. They span 30.48 cm (12 in) – about the size of a dinner plate!
 
Despite his lofty achievement, Kösen falls short of the tallest person ever, Robert Wadlow (USA), who when last measured on 27 June 1940, was found to be 2.72 m (8 ft 11.1 in) tall.
 
Sultan's giganticism was caused by a tumour in his pituary gland which led to an excess of growth hormone. In 2010, Sultan received life-changing brain surgery at the University of Virginia, USA and began medication for his hormone levels which ultimately led to the halting of his growth.
 
 
In 2013, Sultan married Merve Dibo in Mardin, Turkey. On a previous visit to Guinness World Records HQ in London in 2009, he had expressed some regret at not being able to find a partner.
 
“It’s really difficult to find a girlfriend. They are usually scared of me. Hopefully now that I'm famous I'll be able to meet lots of girls. My dream is to be married."
 
The couple met through a mutual friend. Merve explained: “At first everyone around me told me not to marry him because of his height, but I fell in love with his heart, not his height. His height doesn't bother me at all.”
 
For the 2014 Guinness World Records Day in London, Sultan met Chandra Dangi for the very first time and the pair were introduced to the world's press.
 
"I love London and to be able to finally meet Chandra after all this time is amazing. Even though he is short and I am tall, we have had similar struggles throughout our lives and when I look into Chandra's eyes I can see he is a good man," said Sultan.
 
Chandra, from Nepal, was also excited to finally meet his fellow record holder: "I was very pleased to see the tallest man in the world, I was curious to meet my extreme opposite."
 
"I’ve always wanted to visit [London] and the fact I get to meet Sultan is special.”