London, April 17 : An 8ft 1in tall man in China, who staggered staff at a hospital when he went there for a foot operation, may be the world’s tallest man.

Zhao Liang, 27, is a circus performer. His father is 5ft 11in and mum Wang Keyun 5ft 6in tall.

If Liang’s stature is confirmed, it would mean that he is nearly 4in taller than fellow 7ft 9in countryman Bao Xishun, 58, who holds the current Guinness world record.

Liang mother revealed how her son consumes three meals, and eight giant buns every day for lunch.

“I am so worried about his marriage, his job and his health that my hair has turned white,” the Mirror quoted her as saying.

However, doctors who examined him in Tianjin, northern China, say that he is perfectly healthy and his foot surgery was a success.

Liang, who lives in central China’s Henan province, was a promising basketball player until the foot injury a decade ago.

He was unemployed until he joined the circus troupe in 2006.

He performs magic tricks and plays the flute and sax. (ANI)