THE boy who was once dubbed the world's strongest kid looks unrecognisable 13 years after setting the bodybuilding record.

       Giuliano Stroe, from Romania, became a global sensation after he was entered into the Guinness World Records at the age of five.

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       Giuliano set a world record at the age of five Credit: giulianostr0e/Instagram 3

       He became known as the world's strongest boy Credit: giulianostr0e/Instagram 3

       Giuliano now at the age of 17 Credit: giulianostr0e/Instagram

       In the picture shared to Facebook, Giuliano, now 17, is all grown up holding a picture of himself when he set his first record in 2009 when he was just five years old.

       Wearing a weighted ball on his legs, the youngster set a new record for the fastest 33-foot hand-walk.

       The little bodybuilder performed the stunt in front of a live audience on Italian television.

       Astonishingly a year later, he set the world record for the most 90-degree push-ups.

       As a toddler, he and his brother Claudiu could perform amazing acrobatic feats and lift weights all learned from their dad.

       Claudiu followed in the footsteps of his brother and could perform handstand push-ups on a bar.

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       Both boys would lift 4kg dumbbells and heavyweights to pump up on their biceps and build up their chest muscles.

       Many doctors believe that weight training regimes have little positive effect before children reach puberty.

       Some warn it could even be harmful because of the risk of injury.

       But dad Iulian angrily rejected criticism that he could be damaging the boys' health.

       He told the Daily Mail: “Someone once told me that the boys won't grow properly, but there's no proof.

       “Even a flower will still grow if you put something on it. It's a natural growth.”

       Their family wants to set up a private boxing club because Giuliano and Claudio can compete and participate in the National European Champ.

       And a video on their social media shows they are skilled at the sport.

       Giuliano said: “To be a champion you must act like a champion.”

       Boy dubbed ‘world’s strongest kid’ looks unrecognisable as teenager 13 years on