Teen who desperately needed size 23 shoes now holds 2 world records

A teenager whose feet are so big it caused shoe companies to step up and offer him custom-made shoes now has not one, but two world records to his name.

Eric Kilburn Jr., 16, of Michigan, made headlines last year when shoe companies caught wind of his plight to find shoes to fit his size 23 feet, and offered to make him some custom shoes.

Now, Guinness World Records is recognizing both Kilburn’s tremendous foot and hand size and have listed him as the holder of two records: the largest hands and the biggest feet on a living teenager.

On the group’s website, Kilburn said he wanted to spread a message of positivity for those who feel out of place because of their physical attributes.

Kilburn’s feet are more than double the average size for adult men, with size 9 being the average in North America. His shoe size is even bigger than former American basketball player Shaquille O’Neal, who wears size 22.

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He told Guinness World Records that he first became aware of his “exceptional” size in kindergarten, when he realized he was “much taller and larger than his friends.”

As the years went by, his size only became more pronounced, he said, noting that he hasn’t been able to fit into commercial-size shoes since fifth grade.

Recalling his record-breaking journey, he told Guinness that one of the best parts about it was “having the connection with the amazing shoe companies, and all of the people who stepped up to help me when I needed shoes.”

“It was pretty cool to see how many people genuinely care about helping others,” he says.

Despite his formidable growth, he says he’s a pretty regular kid who cares about school, his pets, woodworking, playing video games and exploring new