Tallest? A Lesson in Journalism 101

Ijaz Ahmed (below) came to the Philippines and stayed in Baguio for a while, supposedly to have his foot cured. There were claims that he was the tallest man in the world, then the 2nd tallest man. Then finally the tallest man in Pakistan. There were many reports in the Philippines about him but did anyone bother to measure him? There were claims he was 9 feet tall! Then 8 foot 4. In fact, most newspapers in the Philippines were consistent on the 8'4" figure. So what is this 8'1" man doing in the newspapers, claiming to be the tallest when Ahmed should be three inches taller? He is still not dead, isn't he. A mere look at the latest Guinness Book should have spared us all the problems and embarassment.