Little man on big mission
Khagendra Thapa Magar, shown departing in the arms of his father Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar, is travelling to Europe to campaign for the Guinness World Record title.
He applied for a place in the record book in October, soon after turning 18, but said he had not received any response.
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Hide AdMr Magar's family initially filed a claim when he was 14 but it was rejected because he was not an adult and there was a chance he might grow.
They say doctors in Nepal have not been able to explain why he is so small.
"We are going to Italy to try to record his name in the Guinness Book of World Records," his father said in Katmandu. They plan to appear on an Italian TV show to talk about his bid for the title.
Once in Italy, Mr Magar, his father and a supporter will decide on their next destination.
His supporters saw him off from the Nepalese capital yesterday offering flower bouquets and garlands.
The current record is held by He Pingping of China, who is 29 inches tall.