A centenarian in New Zealand made history when she won 100-meter dash at the World Masters and is vowing to run as long as she’s physically able to compete.
Originally from India, Man Kaur shocked and awed spectators in Auckland when she became the oldest female athlete to win a gold medal in the 100-meter race at 101 years old, CNN reported.
Kaur is also the oldest athlete at the sporting event, which is held every four years and is geared toward athletes who are 35 or older. She clocked in at 74 seconds for the 100-meter dash.
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She has been busy participating in multiple events. She also earned a gold medal for the 200-meter dash and shot put events on Wednesday.
Kaur was the only competitor in her age category for all of her medal wins, but that doesn’t discount her effort and determination to be there.
Naturally, Kaur has become a fan favorite at the games. She has been known to perform a victory dance with the number 10001 emblazoned on her jersey.
On Thursday, Kaur will complete in the javelin throw.
The great-grandmother didn’t become involved in sports until she was 93, when her 79-year-old son began taking her to the Punjab University grounds and noticed she could run well.
She trains daily said son and coach, Gurdev Singh. She also eats “good, homemade food,” which includes wheat grass, nuts and seeds daily, Singh said. They don’t indulge in fried food or eating at restaurants and eat wheat grass.
Other than training and eating well, Singh said his mother just stays positive and keeps busy.
Despite severe osteoporosis and a curved spine, Kaur is in good health and she remains hopeful
“I will run as long as Guru’s grace is with me,” she told CNN. “Although I am in such a state of health and I have improved my performance in these games, I will definitely perform better if there is some medical help.”
In a tweet, Indian Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu called Kaur “inspirational.”
Inspirational! 101-year-old miracle from Chandigarh, Man Kaur wins 100m sprint at #WorldMastersGames2017.https://t.co/honseTSURR
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) April 25, 2017
Kaur said she has won more than 20 medals since she began competing. Last year, she competed in the American Masters Games in Canada, in running, shot-put and javelin events.
She has three children, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, who are undoubtedly all proud of her.
“I feel very good that she won,” said Nirmal Singh. “Whenever she participates, she wins gold.”
(H/T: CNN)
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