Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh, born on July 13, 2002, in northern Iran, isn’t just unique — he’s officially the world’s shortest man alive, standing at just 65.24 cm (2 ft 1.6 in). Guinness World Records confirmed his title after carefully measuring him three times in 24 hours.

During his visit to Dubai for the record announcement, Afshin enjoyed a fresh haircut, got fitted for a sharp custom suit, and fulfilled a dream by visiting the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Afshin was born weighing only 700 grams (1.5 lbs) and now weighs just over 14 pounds. Life hasn’t been easy — he couldn’t attend school due to health issues and only recently learned to write his own name. But through it all, he’s stayed upbeat and curious.

Despite struggling to hold a smartphone, Afshin is surprisingly tech-savvy. He loves watching cartoons, scrolling social media with help from a friend, and cheering for his favorite football club, Esteghlal. His idols? Iran’s Ali Daei and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He dreams of living more independently — driving a car, dressing like other adults (not in toddler-sized clothes), and someday supporting his parents. While his size limits job options in his village, his positive spirit and warm personality have made him beloved by many.

Most of all, Afshin is thankful for the global recognition. “It feels like a dream,” he says. “My biggest wish is to help my parents. Maybe this can help me do that.”