112-Year-Old Officially Recognized as World’s Oldest Man – Guinness Book of World Records

The Guinness Book of World Records on Monday officially recognized a man from the United Kingdom as the oldest living man.

Bob Weighton, who celebrated his 112th birthday this month, is now the oldest living man after the previous record holder, Chitetsu Watanabe, died in late February.

Video of the ceremony, which was performed remotely due to the U.K.’s lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, showed the book’s editor Craig Glenday wishing Weighton a happy birthday and telling him that he was “officially amazing.”

“Just wanted to wish you many happy returns for your 112th birthday. I can confirm, remotely, that you are the oldest living man in the world,” said Glenday.

Weighton’s announcement comes as his home country is largely locked down due to efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus. He remains 4 years and 51 days shy of the record for the oldest age ever reached by a man in recorded history, which was set by Jiroemon Kimura when he died at the age of 116 and 54 days.

“I can’t say I am pleased to hear that the previous holder has died, but I am very pleased that I’ve been able to live so long and make so many friends,” Weighton told the Guinness Book of World Records.

See Video