Man Kaur, 101, and her 100 metres of inspiration

Auckland, April 24

With a jaunty victory dance, 101-year-old Man Kaur celebrated winning the 100 metres sprint at the World Masters Games here today, the 17th gold medal in the athlete’s remarkable late-blooming career.

Chandigarh’s Man Kaur clocked one minute 14 seconds as a small crowd cheered her on — 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.

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But 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 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.”

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 competing on the international Masters Games circuit.

After a 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.

Kaur already has a swag of gold medals that would rival Michael Phelps’ haul and also plans to compete in the 200m sprint, 2-kg shot put and 400 gram javelin in Auckland, taking her tally to 20.

World Masters Games 2017 chief executive Jennah Wootten said, “Man Kaur truly personifies the ‘sport for all’ philosophy which World Masters Games is all about and we are thrilled to have her here. I have no doubt that she and many of the other 24,905 athletes competing are inspiring others to lead more active lifestyles and take up a sport.”

While Kaur was the only 100-plus athlete to compete in Auckland, there are a surprising number of spritely centenarians still on the sporting stage.

Japan’s Hidekichi Miyazaki, 106, holds the 100m record with a time of 29.83, earning him the nickname “Golden Bolt”. Miyazaki, who credits his daughter’s tangerine jam for his age-defying exploits, even mimics Bolt’s signature victory pose. Frenchman Robert Marchand, 105, set a cycling record for his age in January, riding 22.547 km in one hour. Afterwards, the former fireman said he was not even tired and could have gone faster. — AFP