British-based man, 113, in ‘world’s oldest’ claim

Ghahreman Pardis, who claims to be the oldest man in the world. Pictures: Masons/Hemedia

• Ghahreman Pardis, originally from Iran but now living in Buckinghamshire, stakes world’s oldest man claim

• Iranian birth certificate suggests he is only 109 but claims documents were doctored to avoid army draft

Ghahreman Pardis, now living in Buckinghamshire, took the World’s Oldest title following the death of Jiroemon Kimura today aged 116 in Japan.

Mr Pardis’ Iranian birth certificate says he was born on November 2, 1903, which officially makes him 109.

But his family claim his papers were doctored twice so he could dodge national service in his home country.

They say he was actually born in 1899, which makes him 113 years and 69 days old - and the oldest man alive on the planet.

His true age became masked when Mr Pardis faced conscription as a teenager in Turkey where he was a leading boxer, his relatives claim.

Ghahreman Pardison on his wedding day with wife Maryam

Government chiefs wanted to keep the sporting champion so they altered his passport to show his birthday as two years later - in 1901 - ensuring he would not be drafted.

Then during his 20s Mr Pardis moved to Iran where he became a sports coach and key figure building sports facilities in the country.

Iranian officials were so impressed with his role in the country they too altered his date of birth by two years so he could avoid joining the army.

Mr Pardis’ family say they were regularly told about the age-change while they were growing up but gave it no importance - until Britain’s oldest man died in January this year.

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