Khagendra Thapa's height is measured by Dr. Hom Neupane (L) in the presence of Guinness Book of World Records representative Marco Frigatti (R) in Pokhara, west Nepal October 14, 2010. REUTERS/Gopal Chitrakar

Measuring 26.4 inches tall, a Nepal teen has taken the Guinness record for short stature.

Khagendra Thapa Magar only weighs 12 pounds, 5 ounces, stumping local doctors, who say he has the body of a three-year-old. He clinched the record after he turned 18 today. His parents had campaigned for years to get him the title, but were turned down because of the possibility their son might grow. (Maybe he could get the world’s smallest dog.)

Magar doesn’t let his vertical challenge get him down — the new record means he will serve as a goodwill ambassador for Nepal as it celebrates Visit Nepal Year. His father said it was a “dream come true” for their family — and Magar seems ready for the attention. (via AP)