Believe it or not, Mann Kaur is 102 years old and still running. It's all about her desire to stay happy and fit, but she has been winning a slew of laurels across the globe as well.
The ageless great-granny from India is fresh from a recent gold medal-winning triumph in the 200 meters in her age group at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Malaga, Spain.
Kaur, who took up running at the ripe age of 93, also won the gold medal in the javelin.
"I want to win more. I just want to run just because running gives me happiness," she said after her return home.
Her victory in the 100 meters at the World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand in 2017 catapulted her to international fame, earning her the epithet "Miracle from Chandigarh."
But she is not someone who is resting on her laurels. The indomitable centenarian has already started preparing for the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships to be held in Poland next March where she aims to take part in the 60 meters and 200 meters. She is currently in the Indian city of Patiala where she is training to achieve yet another milestone.
Mann Kaur of India (C) celebrates after competing in the 100m sprint in the 100+ age category at the World Masters Games at Trusts Arena in Auckland on April 24, 2017. /VCG Photo
"One should eat well and exercise. Don't eat junk food and stay healthy. Also respect your elders," was Kaur's mantra for living long and well.
The exuberant lady, who was nominated at the prestigious Laureus Awards for the World's Best Sporting Moment of the Year 2017 award, is well supported by her 80-year-old son Gurdev Singh, who also takes part in international races and athletics events and has been her prime motivator.
"We have already started preparing (for the next competition in Poland). She has already started her training after coming back. We will try to create a new record," Singh recently told Indian news agency PTI.
Man Kaur competes in the100m sprint for 85-year-olds at the World Masters Games on April 24, 2017, in Auckland. /VCG Photo
He said that they had already drawn up plans for the next three years -- in Torun, Poland next year, in Toronto, Canada in 2020, and the Kansai region of western Japan the following year.
"In 2021, she will be 105 plus and thus, it would be good to see her run and win there," Singh said.
In fact, it was Gurdev who got her interested in running after he saw women centenarians participating in different races over time.
"I saw that my mother had no ailments. I made her race and then made her participate at nationals in 100- and 200-meter events in Chandigarh and she got world record timing... that is how her journey began," Singh said.
She has run a long way since then and is ready to go that extra mile just because of her unbridled passion for the sport and the pleasure of winning.