World’s shortest and tallest men find common ground

It’s a day for the bold, the strange, the fearless and the funny, with thousands taking part in Guinness World Records’ annual record-breaking day.

The world's tallest man, Sultan Kösen, and shortest man, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, met for the first time on 13 November, 2014 in London, United Kingdom to mark Guinness World Record Day 2015 and the 60th anniversary of the book. (AAP)

The world’s tallest man, Sultan Kosen, and the shortest man, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, met in London to kick off the day’s events.

Mr Kosen, a farmer from Turkey, stands at 2.51 metres tall, while Mr Dangi, a 74-year-old Nepalese man, measures just 55 centimetres.

Both were excited to meet each other for the first time.

“Even though he is short and I am tall, we have had similar struggles throughout our lives, and when I look into Chandra’s eyes I can see he is a good man,” says Kosen.

Meanwhile, record-breaking events were held around the world, some raising money for charity or organisations, others just having fun.

In Britain, 373 residents smashed last year’s record of the number of people simultaneously dressed as a penguin by 48, while a team of 388 people in Shanghai, China, took home the illustrious record of the most number of people eating breakfast in bed.

Australians also got involved. Students at Armidale High School in NSW set the record for the most number of people head banging, a feat achieved to the tune of an AC/DC track.

An attempt by the same school to set the record for the most number of people flinging thongs (the footwear kind) at once sadly fell short.