Mangolian pairs

One of the tallest men in the world at 7ft 9 in (2.36 m), Bao Xishun shakes hands with fellow Mangolian He Pingping who at only 2ft 5 in (73 cm), is less than one-third Bao's height. Herdsman Bao was of normal size until the age of 16, when he experienced a sudden, unexplained growth spurt, as a result of which he reached his present height just seven years later. In July 2007, after searching the world for a suitable bride, 56 year old Bao married 5 ft 5 in (1.68 m) Xia Shujuan, a woman from his hometown. She is nearly half his age and more than 2 ft (60 cm) shorter. For the weedding, it took 30 tailors three days to create Bao's outfit. He Pingping was the size of an adult's palm at birth. Although his two sisters developed normally, he has grown very slowly because of a bone deformity.