AFP Apr 24, 2017, 02.06 PM IS
AUCKLAND: With a jaunty victory dance, 101-
year-old Man Kaur celebrated winning the 100 metres sprint at the World Masters
Games in Auckland on Monday, the 17th gold medal in the Indian athlete's
remarkable late-blooming career.
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.
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."
- Late bloomer -
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.
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