Guinness officials recently visited Kösen at his home in the village of Dede, located in the district of Derik in Batman province, in preparation for Guinness World Records 2012. When Kösen was measured, they found that he had grown by another four centimeters, bringing his height to 251 centimeters. His hands have also grown by one centimeter, now measuring 29.5 centimeters in total.
Speaking to an Anatolia news agency reporter, Kösen said he won the title of world's tallest man in 2009 when his height was officially recognized by Guinness officials, adding that he thinks he will be the record holder for a very long time to come.
He added that between the last two visits from Guinness officials he grew by four centimeters despite receiving treatment to inhibit his growth.
Kösen described how his life changed after receiving a telephone call from Guinness officials from London. Following the phone call a group of Guinness officials came and visited him in Turkey. They also invited him to London, he added, where they declared him the world's tallest man. The title has since brought him fame around the world.
“I started to experience a life that I could not have imagined a few years ago. I went on tour to represent Guinness World Records all around the world. I went to almost every European country. I also took part in a documentary titled ‘World's Tallest Man: Looking for Love,' produced in London. This documentary was broadcasted in the UK, the US and Germany. I didn't leave the village very often before. Now I travel around the whole world with the fame this record brought to me. I feel proud to have appeared in the Guinness World Records for three years running: 2009, 2010 and 2011,” Kösen said.
