Sawang Janpram is in his own league at the World Masters Games in Taiwan: at 105 he is the oldest and only competitor in his age group.
It meant that Thailand’s Sawang was sure to win gold on the album of more than 100 men, javelin, bullet throwing and 100 meters.
All he had to do was finish, and the former school director reached the 100 -meter line in his solo career in a very respectable 38.55 seconds.
“I am proud to have brought our family honor,” his 73 -year -old daughter, Siripan, a fellow perennial leafy athlete, told AFP.
They are between 25,950 athletes from 107 countries in the World Masters Games of two weeks in Taipei.
Held every four years, the event brings together competitors of 30 years and during all areas of life for the joy of participating.
This year’s edition is more than twice as much than the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in terms of competition numbers.
Sawang, a five -children father, exercised at the age of 90, inspired by Siripan and the desire to avoid becoming his friends.
Three or four times a week, Sawang joins her daughter to jog on a beach near her home in Rayong in East Thailand.
“Sometimes I like to walk, sometimes run,” Sawang said, looking at AFP through aviator sunglasses while explaining his training regime. “Sometimes I launch javelin, depending on what I have to do for competitions.”
Other times, Sawang said it only goes to the local market.
It has been shown to be a winning strategy, with the centenary Wiry winning more than 60 medals in the Masters circuit.
Sawang added four more gold to his collection this week.
‘Exercise improves life
An issue of spectators was competed in the stadium as Sawang at the bullet launch, his last game event.
Before the first launch, Sawang aligned with other Sprightly bullet putters in age 80+, 85+ and over 90 years.
With knee braces, Sawang threw more than four meters in each of its five attempts, taking out cheers and applause from younger athletes.
Siripan, who also won two medals and a money in his launch events, joined his father on the podium after he recovered his fourth gold.
“I am very proud of my father who can still do this and that he is strong,” Siripan said. “People admire it wherever I go.”
The next World Masters Games will be in Japan in 2027 after Covid-19 duration was postponed twice.
If he competes there or in another Masters event, he will be “at my health,” said Sawang.
Before athletics, Sawang used to work on his farm, where he cultivated hard and rubber trees.
Now focuses on sport.
“The exercise improves our life and we can meet friends who also exercise,” said Sawang. “It’s as if our lives were more lively and we don’t feel alone at home.”