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90 going on 20 seems to be the mantra for these feisty athletes, who refuse to let age come in the way of their passion for sports and fitness. From septuagenarians to those who have already celebrated their mighty 100th, this list includes all these gutsy athletes, who continue to amaze the world with their determination and grit. It also begs the question, whether athletes can perform beyond a certain age i.e retirement. Here are the top 8 oldest athletes of the world.
#1 Fauja Singh
This British Indian is widely known in the running community across the globe as the centenarian marathon runner. Born in the year 1911, Fauja Singh has lived a long and prolific life, which include breaking several records in the running discipline too. He accomplished eight records in a day for 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, the mile, 3000 and 5000 meter events at the age of 100.
He then went on the become the world’s first 100 year old to complete a marathon, finishing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in around 8 hours. Next came the Hong Kong marathon which he conquered at the age of 101.
He was given the prestigious opportunity to be a torch bearer for the 2012 London Olympics and has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for service to sports and charity. Fauja Singh’s name continues to be an immense source of inspiration for young and old marathoners alike.
#2 Dharampal Singh Gujjar
Putting old age itself to shame, Dharampal Singh Gujjar set a brand new world record by himself in 2014 when he ran 200 meters in 46.74 seconds at the 35th National Masters athletic championship held in Coimbatore.
Although, he claims to be 116 years old, a claim supported by his passport and other documents, he does not have a birth certificate. Hence, the famed mention of being the oldest person alive in the world in the Guiness Book of World Records eludes him.
But, this gives him no reason to mope as he continues to display enormous gusto and participate in several running events. Hailing from Meerut, he started running at the young age of 15 and there has been no looking back for him ever since. He has participated in almost all marathons held in the country for his age group, successfully completing the Cochin International Half Marathon recently.
The 6 foot tall man is testimony to the fact that a healthy lifestyle and focus on fitness can take one a long way indeed.
#3 Manohar Aich
Even as he cut his 100th birthday cake, Manohar Aich’s bulging biceps and sturdy body awed onlookers and aspiring body builders everywhere. His sparkling career includes the Mr Hercules title in 1950 at the age of 37, a Mr Universe title, India’s first, in 1951 and the world championship of Spring Pulling in which he managed to tear a spring of 275 pounds tension.
He also won three gold medals in the body building discipline in three Asian Games. He continued to participate at several body building shows, with his last show in 2003 at the age of 90. Aich’s diet and fitness regime has been a major talking point among young body builders across the country, and rightly so, as he continues to exude a fit and healthy vibe even after his 100th birthday.
#4 Ashis Roy
Being 80 doesn’t deter this man from being one of the most enthusiastic marathon runners of all time in India. At the age of 82, Ashis Roy went on to successfully complete the 13.1 mile run in the Navy Air Force Half Marathon held in Washington recently. The event was his 23rd half marathon and 138th marathon so far and he annihilated the distance within 3 hours 28 minutes and 40 seconds, despite being the oldest participant.
Although, he started a little late, taking to marathons at the age of 52, Roy’s passion for running shone through and by the time he attained 75 years of age, he had already finished 82 races. In 2010, he acheived the milestone of completing his 100th marathon and took that figure to 115 in Mumbai in 2013.
Roy has penned down his experiences and his love for running in a book titled “The Joy of Running”.
#5 Ed Whitlock
Becoming the first ever person aged above 70 to finish a marathon in less than three hours, this Canadian long distance runner stunned sports enthusiasts across the globe with this feat in 2003. Clocking a time of 2 hours 59 minutes, he proved to the world that age was no bar for him when it came to marathons.
Whitlock’s best time was clocked at age 73 with 2 hours 54 minutes and 48 seconds. An 82-year old Whitlock recently crossed the finish line at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2013 within an unbelievable time of 3 hours 41 minutes, the best for his age group.
Whitlock continues to participate in fitness and sporting events meant for his age group. His determination is a beacon of inspiration for many.
#6 Olga Kotelko
The first woman to be featured on this list and it is none other than Canadian track and field athlete, Olga Kotelka. Although she was sadly taken from the world in 2014, Olga’s name is immortalized as the nonagenarian woman athlete. Her shining career acheivements include around 30 world records and 750 gold medals.
She participated in a long list of events like long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus, javelin, weight throw and the 100-metres, 200-metres and 400-metres and 4 x 100-metre relay sprints. In 2010, she was given the honor of carrying the torch in Vancouver before the XXI Winter Olympic Games.
#7 Earl Fee
There must be some elixir in Canada’s water as it continues to produce gems like the previous two names on this list and now this one. Earl Fee is at a ripe age of 85 as of 2015, but his fitness levels are off the charts. He participated in his first masters athletics race at the age of 56. Ever since then, he has gone on to accomplish over 50 world records in his age group including the M75 300 metre hurdles, M80 200 metre hurdles, M80 400 metres and M65, M70 and M80 800 metres.
He has also authored books like The Complete Book of Running "How To Be a Champion from 9 to 90" and “100 Years Young the Natural Way -- Body Mind Spirit Training”.
#8 Ugo Sansonetti
Born in 1919, Ugo Sansonetti is now a noted writer and well known masters athlete hailing from Rome, Italy. A nonagenarian, he is the holder of current world records in the M85 200 metres and M90 metres. He is popular throughout Italy for appearing in a much loved Coca Cola commercial as a sprightly athlete.
Winning around 70 medals, with 42 of them being gold, Sansonetti has added many a feather to his cap, a recent one being winning the 100 metres at the 2009 World Masters Athleticss Championships held in Lahti, Finland.
