6ft 2in Sophie, 12, towers over pals and her parents as she sets new record
Sophie can touch ceilings at home and is 18 inches taller than most classmates
RECORD-breaking 12-year-old Sophie Hollins stands proud at 6ft 2in, as she towers over her pals and even her mum and dad.
The schoolgirl can touch ceilings at home, and is 18 inches taller than most classmates.
Sophie, who Guinness World Records believe is the world’s tallest pre-teen, said: “I’ve always known I was different. I’ve been tallest in my class from day one.”
But while she says it is “cool” to be so tall, she adds that she will be delighted if a recent procedure to stunt her growth is successful.
Sophie — who looks down on 5ft 10in dad Ian, 5ft 4in mum Lorraine, both 44, and 4ft 7in brother Aaron, ten — was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome at eight months.
The life-threatening genetic disorder affects the body’s connective tissues.
It can cause organ problems, or lead to extreme height.
Sophie was 4ft 10in at age six. Aged ten and 5ft 11in, doctors curbed her surge by destroying growth tissue in her knees and giving her hormones to speed up puberty.
Sophie, from Southampton, said: “Mum told me about Marfan syndrome when I was little. It’s who I am. I’m proud of that.
“But I’m happy I might have finished growing. It’s cool to be 6ft 2in but I don’t want to be much taller.
“Now my friends are starting to catch up. The last few years have been tough with everything my body has been through. But I’m happy it’s over and am excited about becoming a teenager.”
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Dental receptionist Lorraine added: “I always told Sophie people are going to stare. Boys at school called her a giraffe. There was a time she was so skinny I feared her legs would snap in half.”
Guinness says the world tallest man is Turkish farmer Sultan Kösen, 35, at 8ft 2.8in. The tallest woman is China’s 7ft 3in Sun Fang, 30.
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1 in 3000 have flaw
MARFAN syndrome is a disorder of the body’s connective tissue that hits one in 3,000 in the UK.
Sufferers are often tall and thin and have long limbs, fingers and toes.
More serious complications involve damage to the heart, aorta, lungs, eyes, bones and covering of the spinal cord.
The incurable condition is hereditary. Three in four sufferers get it from just one parent.