A PERUVIAN farmer has claimed he is the REAL world’s oldest man just days after Brit grandad John Tinniswood was awarded the title.

Supercentenarian, Marcelino Abad Tolentino, says he is 13 years older than John and claimed to have recently celebrated his 124th birthday.

Peruvian Marcelino Abad Tolentino, 124, claims to be the real world’s oldest man after a Brit grandad claimed the title

This image appears to show Marcelino was born in 1900

Brit, John Tinniswood, 111, was awarded the new title for world’s oldest man

John became the record holder following the death of Venezuelan national Juan Vicente Pérez, 114, last week.

But the Peruvian government have burst his bubble as they are now making a claim on behalf of Marcelino who says he was born in 1900.

The old man, known to locals as ‘Mashico’ reportedly celebrated his birthday on 5 April.

He was treated to a special cake and gifts at the care home in Cochachinche, where he now lives.

Marcelino – who from from the central region of Huanuco – lived off the grid until the government identified him in 2019 and provided him with ID and a pension.

Marcelino Abad Tolentino – or ‘Mashico’ – developed a healthy way of life and inner peace

Peruvian Government Statement

He said the secret to his ripe old age is eating a healthy diet, rich in fruits and lamb meat.

And Marcelino also likes to chew on coca leaves, a tradition among communities in the Andes.

He was orphaned when he was seven years old and never went to school.

He lived in rural areas and quickly learned “how to take advantage of the benefits of nature”, according to a Peruvian government statement.

It added: “Among the tranquillity of the flora and fauna of Huanuco, Marcelino Abad Tolentino – or ‘Mashico’ – developed a healthy way of life and inner peace, reflected in his good health and friendly personality.

“This allowed him, with resilience and skill, to overcome 12 decades of life and on 5 April he blew out 124 candles.”

The authorities are helping Tolentino apply for the Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest man meaning he could knock John off the podium.

The organisation is currently looking into the bid.

If confirmed, Tolentino could also be crowned the oldest person ever, which currently stands at 122.

Great grandad, John, who lives in a care home in Southport, Merseyside, puts his long life down to fish and chips on a Friday and doing “everything in moderation”.

John was born in 1912 – the same year the Titanic made its ill-fated maiden voyage – and has lived through two world wars, as well as the pandemic.

He even met the late Queen Elizabeth on two occasions and was presented with a birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla on his last birthday.

The oldest living woman is Spaniard Maria Branyas Morera at 117 years of age.

Born on 4 March 1907 in San Francisco, the grandmother has lived her life since she was eight in Spain’s Catalonia – and has been in the same nursing home for the past 23 years.

Marcelino is a farmer from Peru

Marcelino puts his long life down to a healthy diet with lots of fruits and lamb meat

Juan Vincente Perez Mora was the previous world’s oldest man at 114 but he died last week