BAO- 59- weds Xia Shujuan- 29. Bao is a herdsman while Xia is a local saleswoman. Bao is the world's tallest living man at 7 feet, 9 inches, towering over his new wife who stands just 5 feet, 6 inches tall.

People from far and near turned up just to witness the wedding ceremony following the Mongolian tradition. This was sponsored by 15 commercial companies hoping to derive income on his fame. This Mongolian traditional ceremony took place on July 12, 2007 at Genghis Khan Holiday Resort, Ordas City. Their marriage at the civil court happened on March 24, 2007.

Before entering the spacious yurt where guests were gathered to eat lamb and cheese and watched Mongolian song and dance shows, Bao waved to the crowd. He was draped in a shimmering blue silk coat.

True to the Mongolian tradition, the bride's attendants pretended to prevent Bao from getting into the camp. Then relatives from the bride's family offered the traditional Mongolian Tea to Bao and Bao accepted the tea happily. Bao acceptance symbolized that the world's tallest man has been accepted as son-in-law of the bride's family.

Hours before the wedding, Bao said: "If we can have children, we'll have children. If not, then not. If we have a child, I hope he or she can be about 2 meters talls. Then he or she can play basketball". Xia- his wife- said: "You need to have feelings for someone to be in love. Even if he is big shot, you can't love him without feelings". Xia said she was madly in love with Bao

BAO XISHUN was confirmed as world's tallest living man by Guinness World Record last year. He dislodged the previous holder, RADHOUANE CHARBIB of Tunisia by just 2 mm.

Bao signified his intention to marry someone by putting out marriage ads around the world- but ended up marrying somebody from Chifeng - his home town.

More than 2 thousand people including relatives of Bao and his bride, local people and reporters witnessed the traditional wedding.

After a career in the army as member of a basketball team, he returned to inner Mongolia where he raised livestock and hires himself out for publicity stunts. Last December Bao saved 2 dolphins by reaching deep into their stomach with his 1.06 meter long arm to pull out pieces of plastic, according to a Chinese newspaper.

Inner Mongolia decided to capitalize on Bao's fame. Xin Xing- Bao's agent- said: "We planned to use Bao as a brand to develop tourism. We want to help and serve our home town".

Everything from the alcohol drunk at the wedding to the shoes Bao's wore were sponsored by commercial establishments. One firm provided a 2.9- meter blanket.with camel hair just for the wedding. (COI)

EFFECTIVE as of Tuesday- August 25, 2009, Sultan Kosen, 26, a part-time farmer of the town of Mardin, East Turkey, after his statistics was officially taken and recorded by representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records in London, officially replaced Bao Xishun of China as the earth's tallest living man. Measuring some 8 feet and 1 inch (2.47 meters), Kosen was crowned as such by the same Guinness Book of World Record representatives. Likewise- he's the current holder of LARGEST HANDS and FEET. His hands and feet measure 27.5 cm and 36.5 cm, respectively.

Since 10, Sultan had been growing uncontrollably because of a tumour in his pituatary gland. It caused the gland to produce far too much growth hormone and has stopped growing up a year ago when the tumour was finally operated on and removed. It is believed his height will no longer increase.

Interviewed as to what his immediate plans are, the towering Kosen -through an interpreter-answered: "To travel and see the world and have a car that accommodate my size. My biggest dream though, is to get married and have children. I'm looking for love".

Kosen had said that girls are afraid of him; that he never had a girl-friend and that his recent fame might help him find the right girl to marry. Don't despair, Kosen. Indeed your new-found fame will propel you to greater heights. Train your eyes on tall girls like you. The world over.is full of them- saucy, creamy and beautiful. Have a good pick. Good luck, Kosen.

Born in 1982 in Henan, China, ZHAO LIANG, 27, former basketball player, caused a stir when he entered Tranjin hospital because of his unusual size and height. It was April (2009) and doctors took his measurement to be 2.46 meters or (8.07 feet tall). He was at the hospital to have his old muscle tendon injury on his left foot operated on because of pain. Upon recovering from his injury, he planned to contact Guinness World Record to establish his stats records. If realized- it is assumed he'll be number 2 tallest male living human being in this planet.  For the past 10 years,   Zhao worked as circus entertainer, performed magic tricks and played the saxophone and the cucurbit flute

Leonid Stadnyk, 39, of Ukraine, who reportedly measured 8 feet 5.5 inches (2.57 meters) tall and was Sultan Kosen's closest competitor, was stricken from the final listing for refusing to have his statistics measured.

Robert Pershing Wadlow qualifies to be the tallest person in history. Born in Feb. 22, 1918 and died on July 15, 1940, he officially stands 8 feet 11.1 inches (272 cm) tall. He was born and buried in Alton, Illinois. (COI)