Michigan teen to be included in 2025 Guinness Book of World Records

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Michigan’s Eric Kilburn Jr. has made headlines before for his giant size – now, he’ll be in the record books.

The Guinness World Records announced last week that the 16-year-old will be included in the 2025 edition of the book with two records: largest feet for a living teenager and largest hands for a living teenager.

Kilburn’s feet measured in at 13.5 inches and he wears a size 23 shoe. His hands, meanwhile, measured in at 9.13 inches. The average hand size for boys his age is 7.4 inches.

According to Hometown Life, the Goodrich native stands 6-foot-11 and likes to put his size to use on the basketball court and the football field.

Kilburn told GWR that he first became aware of his size when he was in kindergarten, noticing that he was much taller and bigger than his friends. And the differences became even more apparent as he aged. Kilburn says he hasn’t been able to shop for shoes in a store “since around fifth grade” and that gloves have become hard to find, as well.

He first made headlines as a 14-year-old when his mother claimed she was forced to order custom-made orthopedic shoes for him that cost more than $1,500. Sports equipment companies, including Puma, Under Armour and TayCo Brace, came forward to help him out so he could continue to play sports.

“It was pretty cool to see how many people genuinely care about helping others,” Kilburn told GWR.

He admitted that he was shocked when he found out he qualified for the 2025 book.

“Being in the Guinness World Records book still feels surreal,” he said. “To have gone from reading the books to being inside the 2025 book is something I never would have imagined was even possible. This experience is something that I am so grateful. It really couldn’t be any better in my eyes.”

Kilburn says that he hopes to use his platform to help others who may feel “out of place due to their unique attributes.”

“It’s OK to stand out,” he said. “Don’t let negativity distract you from your goals.”