Nepalese man claims to be world's shortest man

72-year-old Chandra Bahadur Dangi looks on as villagers measures him near his home in Reemkholi village, Dang district, some 540 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu on Feb. 9, 2012. / AFP/Getty Images

KATMANDU, Nepal - A 72-year-old man from western Nepal is hoping to prove to Guinness World Records that he's the world's shortest man.

PICTURES: Is world's shortest man this 22-inch-tall Nepalese 72-year-old?

Chandra Bahadur Dangi claims to be only 22 inches (56 centimeters) tall. Guinness World Records currently recognizes Junrey Balawing of the Philippines, who is 23.5 inches (60 centimeters) tall, as the shortest man in the world.

Dangi's nephew Dolak Dangi said Tuesday that his uncle would meet with Guinness officials in the capital, Katmandu, in the next few days to be measured.

Guinness World Records did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Another Nepalese man, Khagendra Thapa Magar, was known as the world's shortest man, at 26.4 inches (67 centimeters), before Balawing took over the title on his 18th birthday in June.

22 Photos

World's shortest man is 21.5-inch-tall Nepalese 72-year-old

[stupa5]

come on shorty...stand up like a man!