OFF THE BEAT

The world's tallest man met Taiwan's shortest in Taipei yesterday.

Naseer Ahmaad Soomro is currently the world's tallest man at 236.2 cm, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Soomro, who arrived in Taiwan on Dec. 22 on a four-month visit, was attending a press conference for Lin Yu-chih's (林煜智) new book about his life: A 67.5 cm Sky (67.5??尷?悛?/CHINESE>). That is the height of 27-year-old Lin, who suffers from dysostosis -- a disease characterized by stunted bone development.

Lin said he wrote the memoir because he wanted to inspire and motivate people.

"A short guy can see a more spacious sky," Lin said.

E-mail news tips and stories to:

offthebeat@taipeitimes.com