Do you think you can live up to 101?
Evergreen health is a rarity these days. People as young as in their early twenties are bearing the brunt of unhealthy lifestyles in the form of premature greying/balding, diabetes, heart disease, poor eyesight, etc. Life has become shorter and diseases longer, stronger. This is why fit and active people above a certain age are an inspiration to the younger generation who just can’t seem to find the time and energy to eat right, or exercise.
Every day we see old people made famous on Magazine covers and news headlines who have lived beyond a certain age or who displayed amazing physical strength and endurance. One such story is of Mann Kaur, a 101-year old lady Athlete who astonished India and the world by claiming the title of “World’s Fastest Centenarian” at the American Masters Games held at Vancouver, in 2016.
A Strong-Willed, Passionate Great Grandmother
She is a great grandmother with an unbridled passion for physical fitness and sport. It is truly incredible that Mann Kaur’s athletic career began at the age of 93. In 2017, she is all set to participate in the World Masters Games, to be held in Auckland. This granny is defying age like a pro and doesn’t look like she’s going to stop anytime soon.
Like in all extraordinary stories, Mann Kaur has also had plenty of support and encouragement from none other than her own son, Gurdev who is 79 years of age. At a time when most of us will be complaining about our aching knees or spend hours sleeping in, Mann Kaur and Gurdev are showing the world one event at a time, that age is just a number and years cannot crush the human spirit.
Mann Kaur will run a 100-metre Race, Play Javelin, and Shot Put
She will participate in the 100-metre race, Javelin, and shot put events. In the American Masters Games, she won a gold medal and this year as well, she will most definitely go for gold. The mother-son duo landed in Auckland after flying for over 19 hours from India.
Mann Kaur will be the oldest competitor in the World Masters Games and was also the only female competitor in the American Masters Games in 2016. Between 93 and 101 years of age, Mrs. Kaur has added a whopping 20 plus medals to her kitty.
Her son had quite a few sweet words to say about his strong-willed mother, “She never feels tired. When she wins, she goes back to India, and she’s excited to tell others, ‘I have won so many medals from this country.’ Winning makes her happy.” The World Masters Games is an Olympic event organized for veterans and will take place on the 21st of April.
Mann Kaur’s story has another interesting twist. Her son Gurdev revealed that just two months previously, his mother was diagnosed with severe Osteoporosis of the spine. Doctors were baffled to know that she runs, despite her condition. Mann’s son and inspiration, Gurdev is also an athlete who competes along with his mother in the Masters Games, but in a different age category.
The upcoming World Masters Games on the 21st of this month will see around 18000 competitors arriving from 100 countries. There will be 28 different game disciplines in all and Mrs. Kaur will partake in four of them.
Great stories are backed by Great Universities and Countries
The Punjabi University at Patiala welcomed Mann Kaur and Gurdev with open arms, for training. Mann Kaur also underwent a medical check by the Athletic authorities at the University who deemed her fit and ready for participation.
The best wishes of India and the entire world go with Mann Kaur as she readies herself to participate in the World Masters Games. We hope and pray that she emerges victorious in the competition, and in Life as well.
Written By: Anju V. Nambiar
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