Extreme sports? These senior fitness enthusiasts say ‘bring it on!'
(From left) Pahang exco Fadzli Mohamad Kamal with champions Wan Mohammad Zaidi Wan Isa, Abdul Walid Abu Hassan, and Yahaya Tahir at the King of Sungai Lembing run in Kuantan last month. (Bernama pic)
KUANTAN : Three friends completed a 10km run at an event in Sungai Lembing here last month – a feat made more impressive by the fact that they are senior citizens.
Fitness enthusiasts Wan Mohammad Zaidi Wan Isa, 60, Abdul Walid Abu Hassan, 62, and Yahaya Tahir, 59, emerged champions in the veteran men's category.
They proved age is just a number by completing the run in under an hour and 34 minutes.
In February, the trio also competed in an extreme-sports event held in Raub, Pahang. Participants, grouped in teams of 10, were challenged to run over 10km while carrying a 5kg load.
Set in a forested area, the course included crossing a river and hilly terrain. They went on to win first place in the VIP category.
Zaidi, who retired as director of Pahang's fire and rescue department earlier this year, said he took part in the event to challenge himself and to stay well.
'We also managed to conquer Mount Kinabalu in April … but we're not doing all this just to win: it's about staying healthy and active, with a positive outlook.
'When participating in activities like these, a person needs mental strength and must remain positive to overcome challenges,' he told Bernama.
The father of three and grandfather of seven said his passion for sports is also driven by his desire to inspire his 29-year-old son, who is battling colon cancer.
Abdul Walid, meanwhile, said his daily schedule is not only packed with official duties but also fitness activities. The demands of his job, he explained, require him to remain healthy and energetic.
'I've been passionate about sports since secondary school until now. Every day I make sure to exercise. At the very least, I walk 3km.
'I also take stingless bee honey every morning to stay fit,' said the Pahang syarie chief judge, who has six children and six grandchildren.
For Yahya, a senior officer in the state education department, participating in sports is more than just a hobby – he considers it a 'weapon' to keep illnesses away.
As he turns 60 in January, he said living a healthy lifestyle has become his priority. 'The older you get, the more you need to take care of yourself. So, this is among my efforts to ensure my health remains in good condition.
'I hope to stay active even after retirement,' he added.
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