SILVER & GOLDS21

Grandpa, 84, with dicky ticker is the fastest in world

SILVER-HAIRED sprinter Tony Bowman is still going for gold at the age of 84, despite having had two heart attacks.

Not only did the octogenarian claim three medals for Britain at the European Masters, but he is also the fastest hurdler of his age in the world.

Former Whitbread brewery worker Tony put younger men to shame when he won gold in the 80 metre hurdles in Italy with a time of 16.8 seconds.

He also took the silver medal in the 400 metre relay, bronze in the decathlon and came fourth in the 100 metres and fifth in the 200 metres, competing in the 80-84 age category.

The grandfather-of-one ran competitively as a teen and took up athletics again in his 40s.

In his 70s he suffered two heart attacks and had stents fitted after heart surgery.

He has since been treated for an abnormal heart rhythm.

Tony, of Kirkstall, Leeds, who is married to Betty, 85, said: “There is no 84-year-old faster than me in the UK – no, the world. I can’t let my heart get in the way of my training. When I am sprinting I have to give it my absolute all.

“I feel very blessed I have good genes but I do work hard at keeping fit. It helps that I love the feeling of running and sweating – especially when I’m winning.” Since turning 80 Tony has broken 11 British athletics records, one European and one international, and has no intention of hanging up his running shoes any time soon, and will compete in the 85-89 age category next year.

His ambitions are to run 100 metres aged 100 – and to live to 120 – and he is seeking sponsorship so he does not have to keep dipping in to his pension to fund his passion and talent for athletics.

Although he admits he had to make some concessions in order to remain at the top of his field, cutting down on chocolate and limiting alcohol to a glass of wine every other day.