Asia's tallest man trades loneliness for harmony

Xinzhou (CNS) -- For 2.42-meter-tall Zhang Jucai, being unique was often kind of a pain.

The tallest Asian on record had an ordinary and peaceful enough life until he was 15 years old, and then he shot up by eight centimeters a year. Gigantism was the diagnosis.

Instead of pride, his outstanding height only made him diffident, both physically and psychologically. His clothes needed to be constantly altered, making a lot of work for his mother. His peers, and even his siblings, saw him as one of nature's errors.

This poor boy growing up more or less isolated in the countryside of Shanxi had even thought of jumping down a well to end his extraordinary existence.

His door to higher studies closed owing to family distress, but another door opened for him. After he secured a place with the local basketball team, the media exposure led to offers of advertising contracts that paid well for his endorsements of certain products. Zhang could only attribute that good fortune to his special stature.

Zhang founded his own media company in Chongqing, and after two years of working with a female colleague, she became his "normal" 1.65-meter-tall wife. The couple have a happy family life.

Domestic and foreign media are still very much a part of his life, but he credits the platform which contributed to his current success. Full of gratitude, Zhang expressed his willingness to help all "normal" and "unique" people in great need, just as he was.