Sultan Kosen, 43, was born into a farming family in Mardin, Turkey. His life changed dramatically from the age of 9 when his body began to grow abnormally. His unusual appearance made him self-conscious, often isolating himself in his room, fearing rejection from friends.

Kosen's eyesight also gradually weakened due to a compressed pituitary tumor, the cause of his uncontrolled growth. It was not until 2010, after surgery in the US, that his growth process stopped.

Sultan Kosen, 43, from Turkey, is currently the world's tallest man at 2.51 m tall. *Mustafa Seven/Anadolu Agency*

In 2009, Guinness World Records recognized Sultan Kosen as the world's tallest man. He was then 2.43 m tall, surpassing the previous record held by Bao Xishun from China, who was 2.36 m tall. Kosen also holds the record for the largest hands and feet on the planet.

While the Guinness title helped Kosen step out into the world, his daily life remains full of obstacles. He has to wear custom-made clothes because ready-to-wear items are unavailable. His bed also had to be custom-built, measuring up to 3 m long.

"Shopping is torture. Not to mention houses with low ceilings, I always have to bend down low when passing through doorways," Kosen shared.

Traveling is also challenging for the "giant." Kosen cannot fit into regular taxis or cars; he must use a truck or convertible. When flying, he is forced to choose business or first class to have enough legroom. At hotels, staff often have to combine three single beds for him to rest.

Beyond spatial inconveniences, Sultan also frequently encounters awkward situations while driving. He once drew attention while driving his wife's Peugeot 308 by sticking his head completely out of the sunroof, while a friend sitting next to him had to hold an umbrella to shield him from the sun. The car was too small for him to sit upright, and his knees touched the steering wheel.

Long flights are also a nightmare for him. On one occasion flying with Virgin Atlantic, Sultan could not fit into the restroom. Ultimately, flight attendants had to hold up blankets to shield him while he relieved himself right at the open restroom door.

Additionally, weak legs and chronic joint pain force Sultan to always use crutches to move around. His excessive height also deprived him of educational opportunities during childhood, forcing Sultan to drop out of school because he could not find suitable desks and chairs in class and due to peer discrimination.

His excessive height means Sultan must lie on a 3 m long bed. *Mustafa Seven/Anadolu Agency*

However, his 2.51 m height also brings a few small advantages. Kosen became a valuable helper for his family, changing light bulbs or hanging curtains without needing a ladder. "I can see everyone from a great distance," he quipped.

In 2023, Kosen's position was once threatened when Sulemana Abdul Samed (Ghana) claimed to be 2.89 m tall. However, after actual measurement, Sulemana was only 2.23 m tall. To this day, Sultan Kosen remains the tallest man on the planet.

Minh Phuong (According to Mirror)