( CNN ) -- A Colombian has officially been declared the world 's shortest man by Guinness World Records officials -- but his reign looks set to be short-lived . Edward Nino Hernandez , who stands just 70.21 centimeters ( 2 ft 3.46 in ) tall , inherits a title previously held by Chinese man He Pingping who died earlier this year . But Hernandez is actually several centimeters shorter than Pingping , according to Craig Glenday , Editor-in-Chief of the Guinness World Records Book . `` Not only is he a new shortest man , he 's even shorter than the previous record holder , '' said Glenday . Although Hernandez is formally recognized in the 2011 Guinness World Records book published this month , he is not expected to hold the title for long . Khagendra Thapa Magar , a teenager from Nepal who stands 65.5 centimeters ( 2 feet 1.8 inches ) tall , turns 18 on October 14 . Glenday said Pingping , who died in March aged 21 , had been an iconic character . `` As a result of that there was a lot of interest from the small community . A lot of small men contacted us . When we heard about Edward 's claim we sent one of our representatives over to his home in Bogota . '' Hernandez , 24 , was measured three times a day , both standing up and lying flat , with his official height calculated as an average measurement . The 24-year-old works alongside his parents and brothers at a family business manufacturing pajamas . He likes dancing to reggaeton and salsa music , according to the Guinness World Records website . `` I am very happy to be recognized as the shortest man in the world , '' Hernandez told the Guinness World Records website . `` Every person is different and unique . The more unusual you are the more you should fight and work harder . ''
Edward Nino Hernandez stands just 70.21 centimeters ( 18 ft 3.46 in ) tall . But a shorter Chinese teenager is set to claim title on March . the Guinness World Records Book was previously held by Nepalese man He Pingping who died in March .