Sultan Kösen Height: How Tall Is The Turkish Farmer?

Who is widely known as the tallest guy alive all over the world? How tall is he, exactly? Let’s check it out in this article at HoodMWR right away.

As a few of you might know, Sultan Kösen is a normal farmer from Turkey. Even though he is just a normal rancher, Sultan catches his name on the Guinness World Record as being the tallest guy alive because of his towering height. 

Accordingly, his extremely tall height makes Sultan even far taller than NBA stars like Yao Ming. And you know, Yao Ming is widely known as a great player and also among the tallest NBA basketball players. So, Sultan is even taller than Yao Ming’s towering height.

He made it into the record books in 2009 when his official height was measured at 8 feet 1 inch. Since then, he has become a celebrity, and although the emphasis has always been on his height, there are also many other interesting things of note about him.

In particular, Sultan broke into the record books in 2009 when his formal tallness was calculated at 8 feet 1 inch (or around 246.38 cm). After that, Sultan has become a famous person because of his exceptionally tall height, which is also the one that a lot of people notice him. In fact, this Turkish man still has many interesting things for you to discover.

But in this article, I will focus more on the height of Sultan Kösen. Of course, a few additional facts about him are also included as well. Let’s dig into it right now.

Key Takeaway

• Sultan Kösen was the very first guy alive to stand more than 8 feet to be calculated by Guinness World Records in 2009. And this record has been maintained for over two decades.
• In reality, there are just ten affirmed and trustworthy situations in recorded history standing up to 8 feet or over. 
• Sultan is just a part-time rancher whose hometown is in Turkey. His extremely tall height was measured to be 8 feet 1 inches (or around 246.38 cm). As a result, he received the symbolic name of the tallest guy alive.
• After two years, Sultan was calculated once more in Ankara, Turkey. At that time, he was an astonishing 8 feet 2.8 inches (or around 251 cm) tall. 
• Kösen’s growth was caused by the disorders gigantism and acromegaly, which were induced by a tumor in his pituitary gland.
• Sultan Kösen is of Kurdish descent.
• Sultan Kösen also has the largest hands (27.5 cm) and the second-largest feet (36.5 cm (left foot) and 35.5 cm (right foot) (right foot).
• Sultan Kösen has appeared in a number of television specials and documentaries on his life and height.
• Sultan Kösen is married to Merve Dibo and lives in Mardin, Turkey.

Sultan Kösen’s Profile Summary

Real name	Sultan Kosen
Date of birth	Turkey
Birthplace	December 10, 1982
Ethnicity	Mixed
Weight	150 lbs (or around 68 kg)
Height	8 feet 2.8 inches (or around 251 cm)
Biceps measurements	21 inches (approx. 53.34 cm)
Body measurements	44 – 32 – 40 inches (approx. 111 – 81 – 101 cm)
Partner	Merve Dibo
Net worth	$1 million

Growing Up With Towering Height

For those who don’t know, Sultan was brought into the world on 10 December 1982. Having said that, he didn’t begin to grow amazingly until he reached ten years old. An interesting fact is that other members of Sultan’s family, including his moms, dad, and four siblings, don’t stand that high. In particular, their heights are all average. 

So, what makes Sultan grow that towering? Accordingly, Sultan experienced special growth and enormous height, which is due to a unique condition widely known as pituitary gigantism. For those who don’t know, this condition is because the growth hormone produces excessively. 

In particular, the pituitary gland in the brain secretes growth hormones. As a result, if a tumor ruins the gland, for instance, it might discharge either too little or too much hormone. The impacts of overproduction, in this case, might have distressing joints, thickened bones, and enlarged hands.

So, because of this oversized body, Sultan couldn’t complete his education. Rather, he decided to work as a rancher to help his family. 

Particularly, he took advantage of his towering height to help his mom with different household tasks, such as hanging curtains and replacing damaged light bulbs. 

Even so, being that towering also brings Sultan a lot of troubles in daily life. Specifically, Sultan couldn’t find sneakers, flip-flops, and clothes that comfortably fit him. In addition, getting into a car of normal size is an extremely challenging thing for Sultan.

When Sultan was just a teen, he was endorsed to the famous Galatasaray basketball team. Sad to say, Sultan was unable to play for that team because he was too tall. Nevertheless, Sultan is still a fan of basketball in particular and sports in general here and now.

So, What Makes Sultan Kosen Exceptionally Tall?

When it comes to the tallest individuals living in the world, a lot of people have analyzed this problem with Sultan Kosen. As previously mentioned, Sultan was born into a basic and normal family. There are no diseases or deformations, clean and fresh environment, well-kept life. But why does Sultan Kosen get such exceptional height?

In fact, Sultan has had a lot of one-on-one meetings with different medical professionals and doctors, and they drew the same result. As a consequence, the Turkish guy has a deformity that can instantly influence the pituitary gland’s function. Accordingly, this strange thing made the man’s height constantly increase and turned him into the tallest guy alive. Particularly, Sultan even had to use crutches to assist him in movement.

And you know, Sultan is not only exceptionally towering but also really heavy, making him wear crutches to easily move. In particular, Sultan’s joints have to suffer from a lot of pressure. As a result, the Turkish man can’t balance and support his whole body like other normal people. Therefore, regardless of his massive body, Sultan’s physical fitness might not be as strong as other individuals think.

The Period of Reach a Peak

So, when Sultan was inducted into the Guinness World Records, he said that he never ever imagined that his name would be written in the book. In fact, even though Sultan dreamed about it, it was still a big astonishment for him. 

In addition, Sultan Kosen is even the one who keeps the record for having the biggest hands living on earth. Particularly, his hands are measured at 11.22 inches (or around 28.5 cm) from the wrist to the top of his middle finger.

In the past, Sultan even kept the record for having the biggest feet living on earth. In particular, Sultan’s feet measure 1 foot 1.98 inches (or around 35.5 cm) for the right foot and 1 foot 2 inches (or around 36.5 cm) for the left foot. 

In September 2009, Sultan visited London, United Kingdom, for the first time. At that moment, he said that he hoped his budding celebrity would turn over a new leaf in his life. He even hoped that it would help him find a new partner. In particular, Sultan expressed that finding a girlfriend is really hard for him. This is because they are typically afraid of him. So, he wished to have a chance to meet a lot of girls, as his dream was to get married.  

In fact, Sultan’s life did change a lot in the following years after that visit to London. Specifically, the giant had benefited from free surgery that saved and changed his life. And you know that surgery helps Sultan’s body from producing exponential growth. What’s more, Sultan really likes custom clothing as well as the chance to travel all over the world. 

For those who don’t know, in August 2010, the University of Virginia, the United States of America, conducted an innovative gamma-knife surgery for a tumor influencing Sultan’s pituitary gland. As a result, it stopped the giant’s generation of growth hormones. Besides, it even helped prevent Sultan from growing any taller.

In recent years, Sultan Kosen has even enlarged his appearance in the television and film industry. In particular, the Turkish man achieved his dream by making his film debut, widely known as Achieving the Impossible, in the Hollywood industry. This even happened before Sultan went out on the road with the Believe It or Not and Magic Circus of Samoa. Currently, Sultan Kosen is Turkey’s cultural ambassador. And in recent times, he has even taken part in a cooking show on world-famous Romanian TV. 

In October 2013, Sultan’s biggest dream of getting married was completed. Let’s dig into it right now.

New Life with A Partner

In the beginning, Sultan Kosen met Merve Dibo through a mutual mate. Accordingly, Merve is nine years old younger than Sultan, and her height is only 5 feet 9 inches (or around 175 cm). 

Merve’s hometown is in Hasaki, Syria. In order to meet Sultan, she decided to go on a tour to his homeland in Dede köy, Turkey. Just two months later, the couple decided to get married. 

Sultan and Merve enjoyed an enjoyable wedding party with more than 1,500 guests. In particular, regional dignitaries and a spokesperson from Guinness World Records took part in the party. 

After the wedding, the pair returned to their particularly designed house in Dede köy, Turkey. This is also the place where the couple hopes to raise their kids at some point in the future. 

So, How is Sultan’s Life Going On Now?

So, now you know that everyone in this world can easily recognize Sultan Kosen’s name. And, of course, his fame is because of his exceptionally towering height. 

After becoming famous for his extremely tall height, Sultan got an essential surgery to prevent the special hormone growth that made him get taller. After that, the giant Turkish man was asked to head the cast in various Hollywood films. In 2016, Sultan Kosen agreed to play the lead in Achieving the Impossible, also known as his debut movie role in his life. 

Sultan said in an interview with Daily Mail about his role in that film. In particular, he said that he finally decided when the scriptwriter came to visit him in Mardin. They had a conversation there, and Sultan did really like the theme of achieving the impossible. 

As a result, Sultan spent most of his 2016 traveling in the Indian Ocean with the world-famous show Magic Circus of Samoa. 

During the last eight years ever since Sultan Kosen held the title of the world’s tallest man alive in the Guinness World Records, the giant Turkish guy has completed a lot of his dreams that he shared in 2009. In particular, Sultan got a crucial bail-out health care that prevented his height from going any further. He even escaped from his ranch in Turkey to appear in Hollywood films. And most importantly, Sultan found his real love. 

Last but not least, the story of Sultan Kosen, the globe’s tallest guy, keeps inspiring individuals from all over the world. 

Top 10 Of The Tallest Guys Over The World

As a lot of you might know, Hafthor Julius Bjornsson starred in the Game of Thrones. He played the role of The Mountain with a real height of 6 feet 9 inches (or around 205.74 cm). A lot of people have thought that Hafthor is the tallest guy all over the globe. But in reality, he is not. He is not even in the top 10 tallest guys in the world. 

So, let’s take a look at the list of 10 men with the greatest height all over the world right now. 

10. Radhouane Charbib: 7 feet 9 inches (approx. 236.22 cm) 

An interesting fact about a guy from Arab is that Radhouane Charbib was popularly known as the tallest guy all over the globe until 2005. Accordingly, this Arab guy stands 7 feet 9 inches (or around 236.22 cm). 

Nevertheless, after 2005, the title of the tallest male in the world of Charbib was taken by Bao Xishun, whose height is just 2mm taller than Radhouane. 

9. Sun Mingming: 7 feet 9 inches (approx. 236.22 cm)

A lot of you might know Sun Mingming, whose homeland is in China because he is a world-famous professional NBA player. Accordingly, Sun Mingming gets married to Xu Yan, standing 6 feet 1 inches (approx. 185.42 cm). 

For those who don’t know, Sun Mingming’s wife is a great handball player. The couple met each other at the National Games of China. Ultimately, the pair fell head over heels in love. As a result, Sun Mingming and Xu Yan are widely known as the tallest husband and wife all over the globe. 

In addition to his professional basketball life, Sun Mingming has even shown up in different movies, such as Funny Soccer and Rush Hour 3.

8. Bao Xishun: 7 feet 9 inches (approx. 236.22 cm)

For those who don’t know, Bao Xishun didn’t reach that 7 feet 9 inches in height until he was 16 years old. Before that age, Bao’s height was just like other normal people in his country, Inner Mongolia, China. 

But after that time, Bao Xishun’s height grew exceptionally fast to around 236 cm. In 2007, when Bao was 56 years old, he decided to get married and had a cute son with his wife. 

7. Naseer Soomro: 7 feet 10 inches (approx. 238.76 cm)

Naseer Soomro, for those who don’t know, has the full name of Naseer Ahmed Soomro. Accordingly, the guy was born in Shikarpur, Pakistan, with a current height of 7 feet 10 inches (or around 238.76 cm). With this towering height, Naseer is widely known as the 7th tallest guy all over the universe. What’s more, he is even popularly known as the 2nd tallest guy in his nation. 

There is another interesting fact that you might not know about Naseer’s appearance in his country. Particularly, regional police asked Naseer not to get out of his home on weekends. And the reason was that his towering height might draw attention from large crowds, leading to many order and law issues.

6. Asadulla Khan: 7 feet 11 inches (approx. 241.3 cm)

The 6th position of the tallest male all over the world belongs to Asadulla Khan, who comes from India. What’s more, he is even widely known as the tallest guy in his country, whose height is 7 feet 11 inches (or around 241.3 cm). 

An intriguing fact about Asadulla is that other members of his family, including his parents and brothers, all stand around 5 feet. 

5. Zhang Juncai: 7 feet 11.25 inches (approx. 241.93 cm)

Zhang Juncai, whose hometown is in Shanxi Province, China. Accordingly, his actual height is 7 feet 11.25 inches (or around 241.93 cm), making Zhang Juncai the 5th tallest guy living on the globe. What’s more, he was even considered the tallest guy in China until 2004.

4. Dharmendra Pratap Singh: 8 feet 0.7 inches (approx. 245.62 cm)

The title of the fourth tallest living guy all over the world belongs to Dharmendra Pratap Singh. Accordingly, Singh, whose hometown is Uttar Pradesh, stands 8 feet 0.7 inches (or around 245.62 cm). 

Not only being towering, but Dharmendra is also a smart person who got a Master of Arts degree in Hindi literature. However, just like previous towering guys, Dharmendra also finds it really hard to have a girlfriend due to his height. 

What’s more, Dharmendra couldn’t get a normal job just because he was too tall. As a consequence, he had to take up employment at a theme park in which Dharmendra was paid for allowing individuals to click on his photos. 

3. Morteza Mehrzad: 8 feet 1 inches (approx. 246.28 cm)

So, Morteza Mehrzad shared the same height as the globe’s second tallest guy Brahim Takioulah. Accordingly, Morteza’s actual height is 8 feet 1 inches (or around 246.28 cm).

For those who don’t know, Morteza is a disabled athlete playing for the males’ nationwide sitting volleyball team in Iran. In particular, Morteza is not only the tallest guy in his hometown Iran, but he is also the Paralympian with the greatest height ever. 

2. Brahim Takioullah: 8 feet 1 inch (approx. 246.28 cm)

Brahim Takioullah, accordingly, is the second tallest guy alive. His hometown is in Morocco. In addition to that title, Brahim is even widely known as the guy with the largest feet based on the document of the Guinness World Records. Just like Sultan, Brahim also suffered from an unusual health condition, widely known as acromegaly. 

Due to Brahim’s enormous feet, he had always found it challenging to find sneakers that fit his feet. Fortunately, he found a doctor that provided him with a particularly designed pair of shoes.

Sultan Kösen: 8 feet 2.8 inches (approx. 250.95 cm)

As some of you might know, Sultan Kosen is just a normal Turkish farmer. But he is famous all over the world for having an exceptionally towering height. In particular, Sultan stands 8 feet 2.8 inches (approx. 250.95 cm) and is in the book of Guinness World Record for the title of tallest living guy all over the globe. 

For those who don’t know, Sultan suffered from an abnormal health condition, which is known as acromegaly. This, as a result, influences his body’s ability to produce the right amount of growth hormone in his pituitary gland. 

Fascinating Facts About Sultan Kosen – The Tallest Man Over the Globe

In 2009, Sultan Entered the Guinness Book

As a few of you might know, Sultan Kosen, a normal rancher from Turkey, got his name into the world-famous Guinness World Book as being the tallest living guy on 25 August 2009. Accordingly, Sultan stood 8 feet 1 inches (or around 246.38 cm) at that time. 

Before that, Bao Xishun was widely taken the title of the tallest guy all over the universe. In particular, the Chinese guy’s actual height was 7 feet 9 inches (or around 236.22 cm).

Having said that, Sultan Kosen kept beating his own world record two years after when his height was calculated at 8 feet 2 inches (or around 248.92 cm). In fact, Sultan’s height was said to be 8 feet 4 inches (or around 254 cm) in 2010, according to statistics from the University of Virginia. Nevertheless, that height was shorter after a year due to Sultan’s scoliosis and bad posture, which is widely known as a curve in his spine.

Accordingly, Sultan Kosen was popularly recognized as the tallest guy living on earth to stand over 8 feet in 20 years when he was 26 years old. And the title is given to him by the Guinness World Records.

Health Condition Caused Sultan’s Extremely Tall Height

In reality, the towering height of Sultan Kosen is not a consequence of nature. For those who don’t know, other members of the Turkish man, including his mom, dad, and brothers, all have average height. 

And accordingly, Sultan suffered from a health condition widely known as Acromegaly and Gigantism. In particular, a tumor caused this health problem, influencing Sultan’s pituitary glands. Therefore, the giant guy experienced an abnormally fast height increase and bad posture due to their towering height. This, in addition, even forces him to use crutches to move around. 

Sultan Kösen’s Height Stopped Increasing in 2012

As a lot of you might know, normal boys’ bodies are typically designed to increase height when they are between 18 and 20 years old. On the other hand, Sultan Kosen kept increasing when he reached 30 years old. Fortunately, doctors helped him stop growing in 2012.

In particular, the University of Virginia Medical School conducted an important surgery using a unique gamma knife treatment. What’s more, Sultan was even supplied with essential remedies to help manage the growth production in his body. 

Thankfully, the surgery was hugely successful. As a result, it helped stop the abnormal growth in Sultan Kosen’s body in 2012.

Sultan took part in a circus

As a few of you might know, Sultan Kosen participated in a circus, which is widely known as the Magic Circus of Samoa, at some time in 2014. There, Sultan joined a few shows and had a chance to go on tour all over the world. 

Sultan has another world record bearing his name

As a lot of you might now know, Sultan Kosen gets his name into the Guinness World Book thanks to his exceptionally towering height. What’s more, Sultan Kosen holds another global record for the biggest feet and hands. Particularly, Sultan’s feet and hands measure 14 inches (or around 35.56 cm) and 9 inches ( or around 2.86 cm), respectively. 

Sultan Kosen is Taller than the Tallest Female All Over the World

For those who don’t know, the tallest female all over the world also comes from Turkey. In particular, she is Rumeysa Gelgi, standing 7 feet 0.7 inches (or around 215.14 cm). This Turkish woman held the title of the tallest female all over the world in 2021 by the Guinness World Records when she was only 24 years old. Just like Sultan Kosen, Rumeysa Gelgi’s towering height is also due to a health condition widely known as Weaver Syndrome, producing exceptionally quick growth. 

Regardless of Sultan’s incredibly towering height, he is still shorter than Robert Pershing Wadlow, widely known as the tallest man all over the world to ever live. Accordingly, Robert’s height was 8 feet 11 inches (or around 271.78 cm). 

Even so, Sultan Kosen stands taller than the tallest female to ever live, Sandra Elaine Allen, whose height was 7 feet 7 inches (or around 231.14 cm).

How Sultan is Compared to the Shortest Man In The World

As a lot of you might not know, Chandra Bahadur Dangi is widely known as the shortest man alive all over the world. Accordingly, his height is only 1 foot 9.5 inches (or around 54.6 cm). As a result, Sultan Kosen is roughly 6 feet 5 inches (approx. 195.58 cm) taller than the shortest guy in the universe. 

You can see how these two guys compare to each other when it comes to height here. 

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