Thai athlete (105) unrivalled but not lonely at World Masters Games

eNCA

4 days ago

TAIPEI - Sawang Janpram is in a league of his own at the World Masters Games in Taiwan -- at 105 he is the oldest competitor and the only person in his age group.
It meant that Thailand's Sawang was all but certain to win gold in the men's 100-plus discus, javelin, shot put and 100 metres.
All he had to do was finish, and the former school principal reached the 100m line in his solo race in a very respectable 38.55 seconds.
"I'm proud he's brought honour to our family," his 73-year-old daughter Siripan, a fellow evergreen athlete, told AFP.
They are among 25,950 athletes from 107 countries at the two-week World Masters Games in Taipei.
Held every four years, the event brings together competitors aged 30 and over from all walks of life for the sheer joy of taking part.
Sawang, a father of five, began exercising at the age of 90, inspired by Siripan and a desire to avoid becoming bedridden like his friends.
Three to four times a week, Sawang joins his daughter to trot on a beach near their home in Rayong in eastern Thailand.
"I sometimes like to walk, sometimes run," said Sawang, peering at AFP through aviator sunglasses as he explained his training regimen.
"Sometimes I do javelin throw, depending on what I have to do for competitions."
Other times, Sawang said he just goes to the local market.
It's proved to be a winning strategy, with the wiry centenarian winning more than 60 medals on the masters circuit.
Sawang added four more golds to his collection this week.
Siripan, who also won two gold medals and a silver in her throwing events, joined her father on the podium after he received his fourth gold.
"I'm so proud of my father that he can still do this and that he is strong," Siripan said.