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Giant (8ft 4in) Ukrainian reaches for record
BBC News On Line ^
| 2004/03/26
| Unsigned
Posted on 03/27/2004 8:08:56 AM PST by aculeus
It is tough being one of the tallest men on Earth. You cannot get through your own front door, you have to bend over double in the bus, and you have to find shoes so large they could house a small dog.
The trouble is, you just can't get shoes that size. That is why Leonid Stadnyk, from Zhytomyr in central Ukraine, spends so much of his time indoors.
At 8ft 4in, or just over two-and-a-half metres tall, Leonid would appear to be a contender for the title of world's tallest man. A Tunisian currently recognised by the Guinness Book of Records measures in at 7ft 9in.
But being that tall can make life a little complicated. His UK shoe size, for example, would be a 23, or a 25 in the US and around a 60 in continental Europe. And that sort of footwear is not easy to find.
"Maybe somewhere in America, England or France it wouldn't be like this," he told Ukrainian television in his big, booming voice. "But here in Ukraine, it's very hard to be different."
No wonder a pair of boots 19 inches long, custom-made and presented to Leonid by a group of businessmen from western Ukraine, is the best gift he has received for some time.
He has been promised another pair for Easter, with a jacket thrown in as well. Newly suited and booted, Leonid, who qualified with flying colours as a veterinary surgeon more than 10 years ago, is now eager to leave the confines of his own home and hone his skills.
He must be hoping there is a job out there big enough to test him.
Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2004/03/26 17:04:15 GMT
© BBC MMIV
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: extendednews; shrimp; tall; ukraine
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1
posted on
03/27/2004 8:08:57 AM PST
by
aculeus
To: aculeus
The Lakers could use a backup center. LOL
2
posted on
03/27/2004 8:10:33 AM PST
by
kellynla
(U.S.M.C. 1/5 1st Mar Div. Nam 69&70 Semper Fi http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnkerry.com)
To: aculeus
no NBA scouts in the area?
3
posted on
03/27/2004 8:10:54 AM PST
by
ken5050
(JIm Angle rocks!!!!)
To: aculeus
New shoes will help Mr Stadnyk get out more
4
posted on
03/27/2004 8:11:46 AM PST
by
Guillermo
(Your own personal Konservative Klick-Guerilla)
To: aculeus
Stadnyk has high hopes of clinching the title
5
posted on
03/27/2004 8:12:15 AM PST
by
Guillermo
(Your own personal Konservative Klick-Guerilla)
To: Guillermo; martin_fierro
It is tough seeing one of the tallest men on Earth. Ukraine your neck to look up at his face.
To: aculeus
With all the resourses here, can't we find shoes for this guy? I believe Shaq wears a 22, maybe he could donate. Come on guys, I will chip in in any way I can.
7
posted on
03/27/2004 8:14:50 AM PST
by
devane617
To: aculeus; kellynla; ken5050
Looks like everyboady had the same immediate reaction.
Sure, let's get him into the NBA...
....provided, of course, that he graduated from an accredited college.....
...oh, no...what a minute!
8
posted on
03/27/2004 8:15:55 AM PST
by
JimVT
(.)
To: aculeus
Leonid, who qualified with flying colours as a veterinary surgeon more than 10 years ago, is now eager to leave the confines of his own home and hone his skills. He must be hoping there is a job out there big enough to test him.
Bull chasing in Pamplona?
Seriously, though, this poor guy has some kind of glandular problem because Ukrainians don't grow over 8 ft tall otherwise.
9
posted on
03/27/2004 8:17:00 AM PST
by
xJones
To: aculeus
Leonid, get thee to a rodeo. There's money in cow rasslin'.
A perfect match for a veterinary surgeon as well :o)
10
posted on
03/27/2004 8:18:03 AM PST
by
Liberty Valance
(Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
To: aculeus
"Extended News" is right!
To: JimVT
Yeah, look how much it's hurting LeBron James to have missed going to college. LOL.
-Eric
12
posted on
03/27/2004 8:21:11 AM PST
by
E Rocc
(Happy 10th Birthday to Troubull (my cat) 3/25/04)
To: Charles Henrickson
"Ukraine your neck..."You should be ashamed of yourself! I love it! Very punny.
To: Thom Pain; martin_fierro
I wonder if he'll be able to find a woman tall enough to be his wife. I'm sure he'd be happy two meter.
To: Charles Henrickson
Your humor takes me to such heights I get dizzy.
Or, rather, more dizzy than I normally am :)
15
posted on
03/27/2004 8:24:46 AM PST
by
upchuck
(I am upchuck and I approved this message because... well, just because.)
To: Charles Henrickson
"Extended News" is right! "Ukraine your neck..." I wonder if he'll be able to find a woman tall enough to be his wife. I'm sure he'd be happy two meter.
Âåðõîâíà Ðàäà Óêðà¿íè!
16
posted on
03/27/2004 8:29:29 AM PST
by
aculeus
To: Charles Henrickson
"...happy two meter."Stop! You're killing me! I'm series!
To: aculeus
Âåðõîâíà Ðàäà Óêðà¿íè! Does that mean you liked it?
To: Charles Henrickson
A Tunisian currently recognised by the Guinness Book of Records measures in at 7ft 9in. Not to be confused with a Ms. Lewinsky, who is a Two Kneesian.
(okay, that was sooo strained that even I am wincing)
To: aculeus
It appears that this guy's family must have been directly downwind from Chernobyl.
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