NcDeuce
07-11-2004, 10:22 AM
South African centenarian runs into record books
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (*******) -- South African Philip Rabinowitz became the world's fastest 100-year-old on Saturday, slashing more than five seconds off the record for the 100 meter sprint for centenarians.
"Oh, I feel wonderful now, absolutely wonderful," Rabinowitz said after finishing in a time of 30.86 seconds and breaking the previous mark of 36.19 set by Austrian Erwin Jaskulski.
About 50 people were on hand at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town for Rabinowitz's record sprint.
"I don't know how long it is going to be like this. Every time I go, I break my own record. I get younger and younger," Rabinowitz said as his coach checked his pulse.
South African athletics officials used electronic timers to verify the record.
Rabinowitz broke the record a week ago, but a faulty electronic timer kept the mark out of the books.
The South African, who works as a bookkeeper for his daughter and tries to walk at least four miles (six kilometers) a day, is already listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's oldest competitive walker.
The world record for the men's 100 meters -- 9.78 seconds -- was set by American Tim Montgomery in 2002. Montgomery was 27 at the time.
Wow, bravo
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (*******) -- South African Philip Rabinowitz became the world's fastest 100-year-old on Saturday, slashing more than five seconds off the record for the 100 meter sprint for centenarians.
"Oh, I feel wonderful now, absolutely wonderful," Rabinowitz said after finishing in a time of 30.86 seconds and breaking the previous mark of 36.19 set by Austrian Erwin Jaskulski.
About 50 people were on hand at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town for Rabinowitz's record sprint.
"I don't know how long it is going to be like this. Every time I go, I break my own record. I get younger and younger," Rabinowitz said as his coach checked his pulse.
South African athletics officials used electronic timers to verify the record.
Rabinowitz broke the record a week ago, but a faulty electronic timer kept the mark out of the books.
The South African, who works as a bookkeeper for his daughter and tries to walk at least four miles (six kilometers) a day, is already listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's oldest competitive walker.
The world record for the men's 100 meters -- 9.78 seconds -- was set by American Tim Montgomery in 2002. Montgomery was 27 at the time.
Wow, bravo