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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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To: Ex-Wretch
To: aculeus
If I was this guy, I would just wear a nice big pair of home made slippers everywhere I go. Nobody would EVER make a comment about it, and he'd always feel comfortable.
22
posted on
03/27/2004 8:45:37 AM PST
by
joebren
To: Rose in RoseBear
.
.
.
g
n
i
p
To: Thom Pain; Charles Henrickson; aculeus
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. I've got just the woman for him!!!!
To: Dr._Joseph_Warren
As a Terp basketball fan, may I be the first to offer all of their children full scholarships??!!
To: Dr._Joseph_Warren
OMG!
To: Dr._Joseph_Warren
I'm in LOVE!!!
27
posted on
03/27/2004 9:11:56 AM PST
by
Dubh_Ghlase
("Every man dies, but not every man truly lives...." Braveheart)
To: aculeus
Wish I would have known about this a few years back...he could have had my size 14 EEEs for baby booties...
This guy needs to get to the USA where he can be properly exploited for cash money....
28
posted on
03/27/2004 9:12:04 AM PST
by
joesnuffy
(Moderate Islam Is For Dilettantes)
To: aculeus
Must be all that borscht!
To: martin_fierro
Thanks for that Link...it is something that everyone should see.
30
posted on
03/27/2004 9:29:18 AM PST
by
Securo
To: Dr._Joseph_Warren
She's the hottest 320 pounder I've ever seen!
"Sleep.... and dream of large women." -- The Man in Black, to Andre the Giant, The Princess Bride
To: aculeus
Dang, the dude can hunt geese with a rake!
32
posted on
03/27/2004 9:34:47 AM PST
by
Pylon
To: martin_fierro
Two Kneesian Algeria for that one.
To: Thom Pain
Stop! You're killing me! I'm series! Oh, poor baby. Crimea river.
To: Charles Henrickson
I just lvov it.
To: martin_fierro
Wow! That murdercycle trip through Chernobyl is really interesting. And creepy.
36
posted on
03/27/2004 9:47:44 AM PST
by
EggsAckley
(....."I see the idiot is here"............)
To: kellynla
Rocky XXXVI?
To: Guillermo
that's one big dude.
38
posted on
03/27/2004 9:58:13 AM PST
by
Centurion2000
(Resolve to perform what you must; perform without fail that what you resolve.)
To: martin_fierro
Chernobyl "dead zone" tour by Elana is great!
She's a natural producer, she would make a great travel channel host.
Beautiful blend of comedy over tragedy!
In a few minutes she gives a more thorough human feel for the situation than anything any other media has ever come close to approaching.
39
posted on
03/27/2004 10:00:53 AM PST
by
norraad
("What light!">Blues Brothers)
To: Charles Henrickson
I give. You win. I've met my match (and then sum).
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