Konstantinos Chatziemmanouil, a veteran athlete from the Greek island of Kos, won gold in the 60-meter race on Wednesday at the World Masters Indoor Championships taking place in Poland.
Chatziemmanouil competed in the “90+” category and finished the race in 13.06 seconds. As improbable as it may sound, Chatziemmanouil, a retired farmer, winemaker and hotelier, began his athletic career at the age of eighty.
In a recent interview, Chatziemmanouil said that he started training when he watched older athletes competing in Kos.
“It’s never too late to start athletics, as long as you fight and try hard,” he said. “Sport is health, longevity and strength,” he added.
Masters Athletics is a competition for veteran athletes in the events of track and field, road running and cross country running. The competitions feature five-year age groups beginning at age 35. Men as old as 105 and women in their 100s have competed in running, jumping and throwing events.
Over 95 years old & running a 14-second 60m! Today’s World Masters Indoor Champs action included the M90+ 60m – won by M90 Konstantinos Chatziemmanouil of Greece in 13.06, while Finland’s Pekka Penttila broke the M95 WR with 14.09! GB M90 Dalbir Singh Deol 3rd in 14.11 #wmaci2019 pic.twitter.com/gvLXRItrKq
— Athletics Weekly (@AthleticsWeekly) March 27, 2019
The Greek man, who has competed in many events over the years for older athletes, stood proudly on the highest rostrum as he received his gold medal and was honored by the playing of the Greek national anthem.
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