Centenarian Man Kaur took to athletics only at 93
With a jaunty victory dance, 101-year-old Man Kaur celebrated winning
the 100 metres sprint at the World Masters Games in Auckland on Monday, the
17th gold medal in the Indian athlete's remarkable, late-blooming career.
Ms. Kaur clocked one minute 14 seconds as a small crowd cheered her on.
In truth, her dash became more of a gentle amble the closer the
diminutive centenarian came to the finish line, with more energy spent beaming
at spectators than running.
Late bloomer
Ms. Kaur took up athletics only eight years ago, at the tender age of
93. She had no prior sporting experience before her son Gurdev Singh suggested
she join him in competing on the International Masters Games circuit.
After a medical check-up, she was given the all-clear and since then
mother and son have taken part in dozens of Masters athletics meets around the
globe.
The centenarian already has a swag of gold medals that would rival
Michael Phelps’ haul and also plans to compete in the 200m sprint,
two-kilogramme shot put and 400 gram javelin in Auckland, taking her medal
tally to 20.
