The World's Tallest 8-Year-Old

By Shatabdi Chakrabarti

A GIANT schoolboy is towering over his classmates and teachers – measuring a whopping 6ft 6in at the age of EIGHT

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Videographer / director: Shams Qari
Producer: Shatabdi Chakrabarti, Ruby Coote
Editor: Marcus Cooper

Schoolboy Karan Singh is only eight years old - and already measures 6ft 6in

Karan Singh, from Meerut in India, believes he is the world’s tallest eight-year-old and is twice the size of many of his schoolmates.

Karan has been a record breaker since birth, entering the Guinness Book of Records as both the heaviest and tallest baby at birth.

Dad Sanjay Singh, 41, says: “When Karan was born, he weighed 7.8 kgs and was over 63 cms in length. So that got him into the record books instantly.

Karan is over twice the height of many of his classmates

“Then, when he was five years old, he got the record for being the tallest toddler. He is eight now and I want to get him into the Guinness Records again.”

Karan’s extreme height is attributed to his family genes. In 2007 his mother, Shweatlana Singh was named India’s tallest woman with a towering height of 7ft 2in.

His father, Sanjay measures 6ft 6 in and both parents ensure Karan has regular check-ups to ensure his amazing growth has no adverse effects on his health.

His 6ft 6in frame eclipses most men in his village

Sanjay said: “We take Karan to an endocrinologist regularly. For both Shweatlana and Karan it might be an excess of the growth hormone.

“Till now, the tests have not shown any problems and everything is normal. Karan has a good stamina and has no internal problems.”

Karan is always picked first in basketball practise

Karan could one day tower over his 7ft 2in mum

“I am a naturopath by profession and I make sure that we follow a special diet and supplements along with a healthy day to day lifestyle.”

Despite his huge frame, Karan leads a regular life like any eight-year-old.

Karan has regular check-ups to ensure his extreme height has no ill-effects on his health

He said: “After finishing my homework, I play with my friends and then I go play basketball with my mother. She started teaching me since I was five years old and I want to play basketball like my mother. But I also like science a lot.”

Karan’s mum, 33 year old Shweatlana, is a basketball player and has represented India in numerous national and international sports events.

Many of Karan's clothes are specially made

Karan weighed a whopping 7.8kgs at birth

The super-tall family attracts a lot of attention when they step out together, but say their only problem is getting clothes and shoes in their enormous sizes.

Shweatlana said: “When Karan was born, he didn’t fit into regular baby clothes. We had to get clothes for a six month old baby for him.

Karan is an expert at ducking under doorways

“At the age of three, clothes for a 10-year-old would fit him. Now, his shoe size is already 12 and sometimes we don’t get that in the markets and have to get them made.”

The mother and son both have the same shoe size and often wear each other’s, and Karan’s clothes are often especially made for him.

Shweatlana said. “My clothes have to be stitched specially. I don’t even find bangles or sandals in my size. Now we get Karan’s clothes tailor made as well.”