Guinness World Records® Discovers New Tallest Man in America

NEW YORK, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Guinness World Records announced today that Igor Vovkovinskiy has been crowned the new Tallest Living Man in America. Measuring a staggering 7 feet 8.33 inches, the towering 27-year old traveled from Minnesota to New York City where Guinness World Record officials certified his claim on the set of The Dr. Oz Show. Igor beat out the previous record-holder, Virginia deputy sheriff George Bell, by a third of an inch. His record-setting moment will premiere on the Daytime Emmy nominated nationally syndicated talk show The Dr. Oz Show on Monday, May 24th (go to www.doctoroz.com/find-station or check local listings for time and channel).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100521/NY08723 )

"Igor had been on our radar for a while, so we were eager to measure him and see if he was, in fact, the Tallest Living Man in America," said Guinness World Records adjudicator Danny Girton Jr. "Following stringent Guinness World Record guidelines on measurement, we're pleased to confirm that Igor is now a part of record-breaking history."

Upon accepting the Guinness World Record, Igor said, "It feels good to finally have proof that I am the Tallest Man in America. Everyone is always asking me if I'm certain that I'm the tallest and I was never able to prove it. Now that I have this certificate to hang on my wall, I could finally show it!"

Originally from the Ukraine, Igor moved to Minnesota with his mother Svetlana when he was 7-years old. With a size 24 10-E shoe, Igor faces challenges daily including fitting into cars, finding comfortable shoes and squeezing into desks at the Minnesota School of Business where he is pursuing a degree in paralegal studies. He's found solace in organizations like the Tall Club International where he's made lasting friendships with other tall people like himself.

Igor now joins the Tallest Living Man, Sultan Kosen (Turkey), who measures in at 8 feet 1 inch and the Tallest Man Ever, Robert Wadlow (US) who stood an amazing 8 feet 11.1 inches tall in the Guinness World Records pantheon.

Guinness World Records is also looking high and low in every corner of the globe to fill the coveted title of Tallest Living Woman. All legitimate contenders should register a proposal on www.guinnessworldrecords.com and follow the mandated instructions.

About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer's Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements. The Guinness World Records website (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year. Guinness World Records is part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada's largest privately owned companies which is a conglomerate of interests, including advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotive retailing.

SOURCE Guinness World Records