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BEIJING - The world's tallest man, whose search for a bride covered the world, ended up marrying a woman about half his age and half his height from his home town, Chinese media reported on Wednesday.
Bao Xishun, 56, a 2.36m (7.74ft) herdsman listed by Guinness World Records as the tallest living man, married a 29-year-old Chinese saleswoman, the Beijing News said.
"After sending out marriage advertisements across the world and going through a long selection process, the efforts have finally paid off," the newspaper said.
His bride, Xia Shujuan, a mere 1.68m, comes from Chifeng in Inner Mongolia, as does Bao.
Bao reached his height in a seven-year spurt that began in his teens and which doctors have yet to explain, according to Guinness.
After a career in the army, where he was recruited for a basketball team, he returned to Inner Mongolia where he hires himself out for publicity stunts as well as herding livestock.
In December, Bao saved the lives of two dolphins by reaching deep into their stomachs to pull out pieces of plastic, according to Chinese media.
- REUTERS