Chandigarh’s Mann Kaur, 100, wins 100-metre sprint in Vancouver games
Vancouver: Move over, Fauja Singh! You might get run over by “sprinter” Mann Kaur.
Fauja Singh, who turned 105 earlier this week, is famous the world over for his ability to run complete marathons – and achieve credible times – despite being a centenarian.
Well, Fauja now has competition of sorts. Chandigarh resident Mann Kaur, who is also a centenarian, being 100-years-old, is also making waves with her athletic “exploits”.
But she’s not going to directly “threaten” Fauja. That’s because she specializes in sprints and throws.
Kaur’s latest achievements came earlier this week in Vancouver when she picked up three gold medals at the America’s Masters Games. She won the 100-metres dash, and also the javelin and shot putt events.
She needed almost a minute-and-a-half to cross the finish line in the 100-m dash, but she still picked up a gold medal – because she was the only female competitor in her age category at the competition for older athletes.
When she crossed the finish line, her competitors, many of them in their 70s and 80s, were there to cheer her on.
Kaur’s energy and drive to compete have become an inspiration to participants in the unique international event for athletes over 30.
“When she wins, she goes back to India, and she’s excited to tell others, ‘I have won so many medals from this country’,” said her son Gurdev Singh, 78, translating for his mother. “Winning makes her happy.”
After Kaur finished the sprint in one minute and 21 seconds, she stood smiling with her hands raised in the air. Asked how she felt, she breathed heavily and clutched a bottle of water, unable to speak.
Singh said he encouraged his mother to start running at age 93 because he knew she could become a star. Kaur has now won more than 20 medals in Masters Games across the globe.
