AP

"He is really, really tall"

Rio de Janeiro, Nov 8: The tallest living man in the world visited Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, causing a stir as he towered above the crowds on a walk through the streets.

Chinese-born Xi Shun walked through Rio's downtown area to attend a book signing of the 2007 edition of the Guinness Book of Records.

Xi, who stands seven feet and 8.95 inches tall, beat the previous record holder by two millimetres in 2005.

"Brazil is very nice. The people here are very nice and Rio de Janeiro is a wonderful city," Xi said.

Creating an impression

Nine-year-old Viniscius Nascimento was mesmerised by Xi, who is at least three times taller than him.

"He is really, really tall," Nascimento said.

As he left the bookstore where he was autographing copies of the book, the crowds continue to surround Xi.

He entertained onlookers by touching street signs and even gave a high five to the one person who seemed taller than him, a Brazilian store promoter walking on stilts.

Although 55-year-old Xi is the tallest living man, he is not Guinness' tallest man on record.

The late Illinois native Robert Pershing still stands above the competition at eight feet 11 inches.