Sheepish Nepali reclaims Everest climbing record

KATMANDU (Kyodo) Nepali climber Min Bahadur Sherchan has replaced Japanese climber Yuichiro Miura in Guinness World Records as the oldest man to climb Mount Everest.

Sherchan climbed the 8,848-meter peak on May 25, 2008, at the age of 76 years and 340 days, but was eclipsed by Miura, who climbed it two days later at age 75, because he failed to furnish documents needed to back his claim.

In February, Miura's office in Tokyo showed off the Guinness record certificate confirming his title. But Sherchan, who had been trying get recognition for his feat, said Sunday the record has been rectified.

A certificate given to him by Guinness World Records reads, "The oldest man to climb Mt. Everest is Min Bahadur Sherchan (Nepal b. 20 June 1931) who reached the summit on 25 May 2008 at the age of 76 years 340 days."

Surendra Sapkota, a Nepal government undersecretary at the Mountaineering Division under the Tourism Ministry, confirmed the record.

Sherchan will announce the formal recognition Monday evening in Katmandu when he holds a press conference to be attended by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.

"There were some lapses from my side. The mistake could have been prevented had I submitted all the necessary documents in time," Sherchan said.