Latest news with #Siripan
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Start exercising!': secrets of Thailand's 105-year-old athletics champion
For the 105-year-old Thai athlete Sawang Janpram, the day normally starts at 5.30am. He has a breakfast of two boiled eggs, some protein, vegetables and fruit, and by 6am or 7am he's out at the beach or local stadium near his home in Rayong province, training with his 73-year-old daughter Siripan. He will walk between 1km and 2km before doing a quick 100m run, once or twice. Then, he practises one of his other sports: javelin, discus or shot put. Advertisement Sawang's training regime has proven effective – just last week, he won four golds at the World Masters Games in Taiwan. He was, media reports remarked, in a league of his own at the event – as the oldest competitor at the games and the only person in his age group, he was almost certain to win the men's 100-plus discus, javelin, shot put and 100m, which he completed in 38.55 seconds. What's the secret to his longevity and success? 'Regular exercise, healthy food, staying in a good mood, always being calm, breathing clean air and keeping up good hygiene,' he says. 'If I'm sick, I go to see the doctor.' Sawang has always loved sports, watching it on TV or at local competitions. 'I like to watch boxing, and my favourite is Pone Kingpetch,' he says, referring to Thailand's first world boxing champion, who retired in the 1960s. It was not until Sawang turned 97 that he began competing. He was inspired by Siripan, an athlete with the Thai Veteran Athletics Association, who would bring her father along to watch her compete at events. 'He started to like the atmosphere because he could make new friends and see new people. He saw that even though the people involved were 60-, 70- or 75-year-old athletes, they were still able to participate,' says Siripan. Advertisement At first, Sawang's family worried that the travel required for competitions may be too tiring. But 21 games and 78 medals later, it has all gone well, Siripan says. There are days when he feels a bit lethargic, says Sawang with a laugh, but the sight of his daughter heading out normally spurs him on. 'If I notice that he looks a bit tired, we just do walking, no jogging, or any other form of practice,' says Siripan. Going outside, and being active, has benefits beyond physical fitness. 'I can see that he looks refreshed when he sees other people. It's only two of us in the house, and it's better to keep going out,' she adds. Sawang likes to eat vegetables and nam prik pao – a spicy dipping sauce made with chillies, shallots, garlic, dried shrimp and fish sauce – as well as gaeng liang, a vegetable soup, and gaeng som, a spicy and sour fish curry with rice. He rarely eats pork, and mostly sticks to vegetables and fish. Siripan explains that they eat healthily and that the air quality is good near to the beach where they exercise. Her father also keeps up a positive attitude, he adds. 'If he gets sick or needs to take medicine, he's never stubborn about it.' She believes the main barrier preventing older people in Thailand from exercising is a lack of support. 'They don't want to do it alone, and especially for elderly people, they need help and assistance,' she says. Thailand is considered an ageing society, with 20% of the population more than 60 years old. Advertisement 'Elderly people especially can get quite lonely at home – their children or relatives are out at work, so they stay home all day alone,' she says. Exercise can 'make them feel lively again'. She hopes her father's success will inspire others. 'When I look at the comments on social media, I see a lot of positive responses. People are saying 'Grandpa is so great' and that they wanted to be fit as Grandpa,' she says. 'I am very happy, and I'm very proud of my dad – that he stays strong and he has the discipline to keep fit. I know that he doesn't want to be a burden to our family,' says Siripan, who also won two gold medals and a silver in Taiwan. Both Sawang and Siripan plan to take a few days off after their success, but will get stuck into training again next week. They are already gearing up to qualify for the 23rd Asia Masters Athletics Championships, which will be held in India in November. 'I want everyone to start exercising so they will be strong and not getting sick,' says Sawang. His advice to others who want to get fit? 'If you go out to exercise with friends, you will get a chance to know them more – and it's fun.'
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
‘Start exercising!': secrets of Thailand's 105-year-old athletics champion
For the 105-year-old Thai athlete Sawang Janpram, the day normally starts at 5.30am. He has a breakfast of two boiled eggs, some protein, vegetables and fruit, and by 6am or 7am he's out at the beach or local stadium near his home in Rayong province, training with his 73-year-old daughter Siripan. He will walk between 1km and 2km before doing a quick 100m run, once or twice. Then, he practises one of his other sports: javelin, discus or shot put. Sawang's training regime has proven effective – just last week, he won four golds at the World Masters Games in Taiwan. He was, media reports remarked, in a league of his own at the event – as the oldest competitor at the games and the only person in his age group, he was almost certain to win the men's 100-plus discus, javelin, shot put and 100m, which he completed in 38.55 seconds. What's the secret to his longevity and success? 'Regular exercise, healthy food, staying in a good mood, always being calm, breathing clean air and keeping up good hygiene,' he says. 'If I'm sick, I go to see the doctor.' Sawang has always loved sports, watching it on TV or at local competitions. 'I like to watch boxing, and my favourite is Pone Kingpetch,' he says, referring to Thailand's first world boxing champion, who retired in the 1960s. It was not until Sawang turned 97 that he began competing. He was inspired by Siripan, an athlete with the Thai Veteran Athletics Association, who would bring her father along to watch her compete at events. 'He started to like the atmosphere because he could make new friends and see new people. He saw that even though the people involved were 60-, 70- or 75-year-old athletes, they were still able to participate,' says Siripan. At first, Sawang's family worried that the travel required for competitions may be too tiring. But 21 games and 78 medals later, it has all gone well, Siripan says. There are days when he feels a bit lethargic, says Sawang with a laugh, but the sight of his daughter heading out normally spurs him on. 'If I notice that he looks a bit tired, we just do walking, no jogging, or any other form of practice,' says Siripan. Going outside, and being active, has benefits beyond physical fitness. 'I can see that he looks refreshed when he sees other people. It's only two of us in the house, and it's better to keep going out,' she adds. Sawang likes to eat vegetables and nam prik pao – a spicy dipping sauce made with chillies, shallots, garlic, dried shrimp and fish sauce – as well as gaeng liang, a vegetable soup, and gaeng som, a spicy and sour fish curry with rice. He rarely eats pork, and mostly sticks to vegetables and fish. Siripan explains that they eat healthily and that the air quality is good near to the beach where they exercise. Her father also keeps up a positive attitude, he adds. 'If he gets sick or needs to take medicine, he's never stubborn about it.' She believes the main barrier preventing older people in Thailand from exercising is a lack of support. 'They don't want to do it alone, and especially for elderly people, they need help and assistance,' she says. Thailand is considered an ageing society, with 20% of the population more than 60 years old. 'Elderly people especially can get quite lonely at home – their children or relatives are out at work, so they stay home all day alone,' she says. Exercise can 'make them feel lively again'. She hopes her father's success will inspire others. 'When I look at the comments on social media, I see a lot of positive responses. People are saying 'Grandpa is so great' and that they wanted to be fit as Grandpa,' she says. 'I am very happy, and I'm very proud of my dad – that he stays strong and he has the discipline to keep fit. I know that he doesn't want to be a burden to our family,' says Siripan, who also won two gold medals and a silver in Taiwan. Both Sawang and Siripan plan to take a few days off after their success, but will get stuck into training again next week. They are already gearing up to qualify for the 23rd Asia Masters Athletics Championships, which will be held in India in November. 'I want everyone to start exercising so they will be strong and not getting sick,' says Sawang. His advice to others who want to get fit? 'If you go out to exercise with friends, you will get a chance to know them more – and it's fun.'
eNCA
2 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Thai athlete (105) unrivalled but not lonely at World Masters Games
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.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Thai athlete, 105, unrivalled but not lonely at World Masters Games
Thailand's Sawang Janpram, the oldest competitor at the 2025 World Masters Games at 105 years old, wins gold medal in the men's shot put for the 100+age group. PHOTO: AFP Thai athlete, 105, unrivalled but not lonely at World Masters Games 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 the Thai 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. This year's edition is more than twice as big as the 2024 Paris Olympics in terms of competitor numbers. 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, he 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, he said he just goes to the local market. It has 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. A smattering of spectators was in the stadium as he competed in the shot put, his last event of the Games. Before the first throw, Sawang lined up with other sprightly shot putters in the 80+, 85+ and 90+ age groups to be introduced. Mr Sawang Janpram competes during the men's shot put for the 100+age group in Taipei on May 22. PHOTO: AFP Wearing knee braces, he threw more than four metres on each of his five attempts, drawing cheers and claps from the younger athletes. 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. 'People admire him wherever he goes.' The next World Masters Games will be in Japan in 2027 after it was postponed twice during Covid-19. Whether he competes there or in another masters event will be 'up to my health', Sawang said. Before athletics, Sawang used to work on his farm, where he grew durian and rubber trees. Now he just focuses on sport. 'Excercise makes our life better and we get to meet friends who also exercise,' he said. 'It's like our lives are livelier and we do not feel lonely at home.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Thailand's Sawang Janpram, 105, oldest competitor shines at World Masters Games
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. This year's edition is more than twice as big as the 2024 Paris Olympics in terms of competitor numbers. 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. A smattering of spectators was in the stadium as Sawang competed in the shot put, his last event of the Games. Before the first throw, Sawang lined up with other sprightly shot putters in the 80+, 85+ and 90+ age groups to be introduced. Wearing knee braces, Sawang threw more than four metres on each of his five attempts, drawing cheers and claps from the younger athletes. 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. "People admire him wherever he goes." The next World Masters Games will be in Japan in 2027 after it was postponed twice during Covid-19. Whether he competes there or in another masters event will be "up to my health", Sawang said. Before athletics, Sawang used to work on his farm, where he grew durian and rubber trees. Now he just focuses on sport. "Excercise makes our life better and we get to meet friends who also exercise," Sawang said.
