Meet the tallest teenager in the world. He is 15 years old, he is from Montreal and he is 7 feet 5 inches tall | The Canadian News

A teenager from the East End of Montreal is the new holder of the Guinness World Records title for the world’s tallest male teenager.

Sometimes Olivier Rioux fits perfectly into his surroundings, while other times things have to be tweaked, like when he goes to the hairdresser, he needs to stand on a stool to reach him.

That’s because 15-year-old Rioux is just over seven feet five inches tall and wears size 20 shoes, which are about 14 inches long.

“It’s cool. It’s amazing; I love it,” Rioux said of being tall.

Rioux dominates his own family; his mother, father, and brother are over six feet tall. In fact, he’s used to sticking out wherever he goes, ever since he was a kid (not so little).

“He was in kindergarten at five feet two inches,” says Rioux’s mom, Anne Gariepy. “He was dancing with his teacher face to face.”

Rioux’s extraordinary height has drawn the attention of the Guinness World Records, earning him a spot in the 2022 edition as the tallest male teenager in the world.

“A dream come true,” said Rioux.

It’s a dream she’s been nursing since she was very young, flipping through Guinness world record books.

“I see a page that is the tallest teenager and he wasn’t as tall as me and I was like, ‘Maybe I can get it,’ and I get it,” Rioux said with a laugh.

His former basketball coach at the Collège St-Jean-Vianney describes him as a gentle giant.

“A gentle giant… but I mean, don’t twist, he knows how to play, he plays hard. He’s a very good basketball player, ”said Terry Annilus.

Those attributes could help Rioux achieve his next dream: playing in the NBA.

Rioux is moving forward to get there as a student at IMG Academy, one of the top sports schools in the world.

Some of IMG’s notable alumni include tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams.

“I am very happy that he can achieve his dream,” said Rioux’s father, Jean-François Rioux. “I really wish my dad would help him get through this. I am very proud of him ”.

Rioux is proof that embracing what makes you different can help you reach new heights.