A 105-year-old Japanese man has broken his own world record as the world’s oldest competitive sprinter – and caught the eye of his hero Usain Bolt in the process.
Hidekichi Miyazaki, who goes by the nickname ‘Golden Bolt’, finished a 100-metre sprint in just 42.22 seconds at the Kyoto Masters Athletics Autumn Competition on Thursday to enter his name into the Guinness Book of Records. He celebrated with the iconic pose of his favourite sprinter.
The world’s fastest man, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, recognised the feat on Twitter, accompanied by a picture of the feat.
Born on September 22, 1910, Miyazaki still has hopes of racing against Bolt – and believes his best is still yet to come.
Entertainment website TMZ.com report that this may not be as far fetched as it seems, quoting his agent as saying: “Usain would be delighted to accept the challenge and meet Mr. Miyazaki the next time he is in Japan.”
When asked how he felt after crossing the line, Golden Bolt says he was disappointed not to have done it in quicker time.
“Today my target was 35 seconds,” Hidekichi said. “I shed tears of disappointment because I was not in good condition. I am not satisfied with today’s time. But I am satisfied that I could cross the finish line.”
His personal record of 34.10, notched up when he was 103, remains the milestone.
Dressed in a red running shirt and shorts, the thin framed man only took-up running in his early 90’s and said the secret to his incredible fitness is simply a healthy life.
“I will say this: I’m proud of my health. My brain might not be the sharpest but physically I’m tip-top. I’ve never had any health problems. The doctors are amazed by me. I can definitely keep on running for another two or three years,” Miyazaki said.
S/o to 105 year old Hidekichi Miyazaki of Japan who holds the record for the oldest sprinter to compete over 100m pic.twitter.com/9Yq3M2qMhS
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) September 24, 2015
