Many may not consider salwar-kameez to be the ideal gymwear, but Man Kaur sure knows how to rock it. On most mornings, you will find the 102-year-old runner at the Punjab University’s fitness centre in Patiala, slowly working machines that boys and girls quarter her age struggle with. It’s not for nothing that the Chandigarh-born woman has 20 gold medals to her name in international competitions.
If you consider her records in racing, javelin throw and skywalk, you will understand why she is called the ‘Miracle from Chandigarh’. She shot to fame after winning the 100m sprint at the World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand, last year. Kaur is also the oldest person in the world to walk along the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower.
The centenarian is now training in Patiala after moving to the city from Chandigarh in 2016. Kaur started professional running at the age of 93 and has won gold in the 100m & 200m races at the 2011 Nationals. At the World Masters Games in 2017, Kaur was the only athlete to compete in the 100+ category.
Her son Gurdev Singh told InUth that her diet is similar to that of any young athlete. “She has six rotis, prepared with sprouted wheat, sprouted kala chana and barley every day,” he said. Her diet also includes soya milk, seasonal fruits, juices and ‘kefir’ (fermented milk).
Currently, she is preparing for 2020 Masters Games in Japan. So if you are still planning to look after your fitness, here is some inspiration.
