Age is just a number. And 101-year-old Man Kaur proves just that.
The centenarian Indian athlete on Monday won the 100 metres sprint at the World Masters Games in Auckland. This is the 17th gold medal in her "late-blooming" career, reported AFP.
101-year-old Man Kaur wins 100 metres sprint at the World Masters Games in Auckland - earning her 17th gold medal https://t.co/KWahJevO7r pic.twitter.com/xfemuQdtLM
— AFP news agency (@AFP) April 24, 2017
Kaur, who believes in taking part rather that coming first, had a guaranteed win though, since she was the lone participant in the 100-years-and-over category at the event.
She completed the sprint in an admiring 1 minute and 14.58 seconds.
"I enjoyed it and am very, very happy. I'm going to run again, I'm not going to give up. I will participate, there's no full stop," AFP quoted her as saying.
Born and brought up in Chandigarh, Kaur's tryst with athletics started just a few of years ago, at the age of 93.
Her son, 78-year-old Gurdev Singh, suggested she join him in participating in the Masters Games.
Once she was given the green light by her doctors, she started competing in various events.
"Whatever he (her son) does, she does. She keeps herself busy and healthy with walking, running and cooking. While there is life, she will never give up - she loves to run," Kaur's translator told the New Zealand Herald.
The AFP report states that Kaur now plans to take part in the 200m sprint, 2kg shot putt and 400g javelin.
"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 in these games are inspiring others to lead more active lifestyles and take up a sport," Jennah Wootten, World Masters Games 2017 chief executive, told the agency.
In August last year, Kaur won three gold medals in the shot putt, javelin and 100m race categories at the Americas Masters Games held in Vancouver, Canada.
When asked what was the secret to a long life, she told CBC News that it was a good diet followed by lots of exercise.