At 105, man wins gold in the 100m sprint. He started exercising at 90, but what inspires him?

Economic Times

3 days ago

Agencies Thailand's Sawang Janpram, 105, clinched gold in the 100m sprint at the World Masters Games with a time of 38.55 seconds.
In a race that lasted just under 39 seconds, 105-year-old Sawang Janpram did much more than claim gold at the World Masters Games in Taipei. He captured hearts, redefined athleticism, and gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "age is just a number."
Clocking in at 38.55 seconds in the 100-meter sprint, the Thai sprinter didn't face stiff competition — he had none. As the sole competitor in the 100+ age category, victory was virtually guaranteed. But the applause he earned wasn't for outrunning anyone else. It was for something far more inspiring: running at all.
With aviator sunglasses perched coolly on his nose and knee braces supporting his stride, Sawang took off on the track like a man on a mission — not to win, but to show up. That's what makes his story resonate far beyond the stopwatch.
Once a school principal and a durian farmer, Sawang began his fitness journey not in his youth or even middle age, but at 90. Motivated by a fear of immobility and inspired by his daughter, Siripan — a decorated Masters athlete herself — he chose movement over stillness, vitality over resignation. Now, fifteen years into this late-blooming athletic career, he's collected more than 60 medals on the masters circuit and inspired countless spectators. His latest haul in Taipei includes golds in javelin, shot put, discus, and that iconic 100-meter sprint.
At the podium, it wasn't just the gold medals that glittered. Sawang's bond with his 73-year-old daughter lit up the stage. Siripan herself bagged two golds and a silver in her throwing events — but all eyes were on the duo as they stood side by side, two generations of athletes proving that passion, not age, defines capability. "I'm proud he's brought honour to our family," she said while talking to AFP, beaming with admiration for her father. In return, Sawang, who raised five children, credits her for getting him off the couch and onto the track. The two now train together on the beaches of Rayong, Thailand, several times a week. Some days it's sprints. Other days it's javelin practice. Occasionally, it's just a stroll to the market. But it's always movement — always purpose. Asked about his philosophy, Sawang doesn't deliver a long-winded lecture on fitness science. He keeps it simple: 'Exercise makes life better.' And it's hard to argue with the results. From farming durians and rubber trees in rural Thailand to training for international competitions, Sawang's life has been a testament to hard work. Yet, in these twilight years, it's not toil but joy that propels him forward. 'There are friends, there is laughter, and we do not feel lonely,' he says. 'Our lives feel livelier.' In a world obsessed with youth, Sawang Janpram offers a counter-narrative — one of endurance, evolution, and embracing each year with gusto. He may not have sprinted past competitors on that track in Taipei, but he's leapt over the hurdles of aging with unmatched grace. Whether he'll compete at the next World Masters Games in Japan in 2027 is uncertain. 'It depends on my health,' he shrugs. But given his record so far, don't be surprised if he shows up — aviators on, medal-ready.