No hurry as India’s inspirational centenarian wins gold
AUCKLAND: With a jaunty victory dance, 101-year-old Man Kaur celebrated winning the 100m sprint at the World Masters Games in Auckland – the 17th gold medal in the Indian athlete’s remarkable late-blooming career.
Man Kaur clocked one minute and 14 seconds as a small crowd cheered her on yesterday, ending a mere 64.42 seconds off Usain Bolt’s 100m world record set in 2009.
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.
But Man Kaur was guaranteed victory as the only participant in the 100-years-and-over category at the New Zealand event, which has attracted 25,000 competitors.
Participation, not racing the clock, is the priority for Man Kaur, who has been dubbed the “miracle from Chandigarh” in New Zealand media.
“I enjoyed it and am very, very happy,” she told reporters via a Punjabi interpreter.
“I’m going to run again, I’m not going to give up. I will participate, there’s no full stop.”
Man Kaur only took up athletics 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 compet- ing 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.
Man Kaur already has a swag of gold medals that would rival Michael Phelps’ haul and also plans to compete in the 200m sprint, 2kg shot put and 400g javelin in Auckland, taking her tally to 20.
Her son told the Indian Weekender newspaper that Man Kaur was on a strict diet that included wheat grass juice and a daily glass of kefir (fermented milk). — AFP