112-year-old named world's oldest man at safe distance amid COVID-19 crisis

The world's oldest man was recently honored from afar during the novel coronavirus pandemic to celebrate the milestone.

Guinness World Records confirmed 112-year-old Bob Weighton of the United Kingdom as the newest title holder on March 30, 2020, just one day after his birthday.

Because of social distancing rules, a Guinness adjudicator was unable to meet Weighton in person. Instead, the assisted living home where Weighton presented him with his certificate from a safe distance. "Happy Birthday" was also sung as he listened from his balcony.

"I am very pleased that I've been able to live so long and make so many friends," Weighton said in a statement. "I never expected to be [a record holder]. I take life as it comes."

Weighton received the record title after Chitetsu Watanabe of Japan died Feb. 23 at 112 years and 355 day old.

In 1937, Weighton married his wife Agnes. The couple had three children together. Currently, Weighton has 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.