No tall tale, gentle giant still growing

At 8 feet 4 inches, and barely 27 years old, he should or could have been up there in the NBA making life difficult for Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Kevin Garnett or Yao Ming.

But no, he’s not.

Ijaz Ahmed, a Pakistani national and now certified as the world’s tallest man, is not into competitive sports although the man who wears size 22 shoes likes cricket, baseball and basketball.

Ijaz has been in the country since Monday, not for some goodwill games, but to have his right foot examined or treated after seriously hurting it in a road accident back home in 2002.

He dropped by at the Makati Medical Center yesterday afternoon for a neuro and orthopedic checkup, accompanied by his promoter Mohammad Yaseen, his caretaker Jamil Ahmed.

Dr. Regina Macalintal Canlas, chairman of the MMC neurosciences department, and Dr. Liberato Leagogo, head of the orthopedic department, took turns checking on Ijaz.

“It’s a case of gigantism with possibilities of diabetes and heart ailment. I have asked them to provide me with his past medical records so we can move on,” said Dr. Canlas.

Ijaz, who doesn’t speak English, was to undergo some X-Rays and a few more tests as of presstime, and Dr. Leagogo was overheard telling his staff to prepare “some big films.”

Ijaz, who turns 27 tomorrow, is still growing, according to doctors who had been monitoring his condition, and that in 2008 alone he grew by half an inch.

Ijaz seemed to be a very happy man, singing a few lines inside the clinic, having pictures taken with women, and doing some shadow-boxing with his hands when asked if he knew Manny Pacquiao.

He has a girlfriend back home, who stands 6-foot-5 and older at 33, and marriage is reportedly in the works.

Filipino sportsman Hermie Esguerra has vowed to help Ijaz in his “own little way” while businessman Reli de Leon has been helping solicit funds for Ijaz’ treatment.

Ijaz needs no less than $50,000 to have his right foot with curled toes treated. After a few visits in different countries, they have started building on the needed funds.

Ijaz was literally a big hit at the hospital the moment he stepped out of a white Starex van, which looked more like a small car to him.

Doctors, nurses, hospital employees and guests took turns taking their pictures with the gentle giant who smiled most of the time and waved his huge hands while standing up with a cane.

“Salamat po. Salamat po,” he said most of the time.