Guinness World Records Crowns New Oldest Living Man

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(Image credit: guinnessworldrecords.com)

After the death of the previous record holder, Guinness World Records has announced 114-year-old Jiroemon Kimura from Kyoto, Japan, as the new oldest living man.

Kimura was born in 1897 in Japan. GWR judges awarded him with the oldest living man title on April 19 -- his 114th birthday. He received the title following the death of Walter Breuning , who passed away from natural causes on April 14, 2011.

"With the sad passing of Walter, the world is left with the one remaining man who was alive in the 19th century," GWR editor-in-chief Craig Glenday stated in a press release.

"It's incredible to think that Kimura's life spans three centuries -- when he was born, Dracula had yet to be published, Queen Victoria was a few weeks from her Diamond Jubilee and the Wright Brothers were six years from their first successful test flight," Glenday said. "How the world has moved on during his lifetime!"

The last known living man to be born before 1900, Kimura is now the sixth oldest person in the world; the living people born before him are all women. He is the third oldest person in Japan after females Chiyono Hasegawa (born on Nov 20, 1896) and Shige Hirooka (born Jan 16, 1897). GWR currently recognizes Besse Berry Cooper (born Aug. 26, 1896) as the oldest living person.

Kimura told GWR that he enjoys keeping up with current events by reading newspapers with his magnifying glass every morning. His advice for a long and healthy life is to eat meals in small portions.

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Live Science Staff
Live Science Staff
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