100 Meters in 31 Seconds: A Centenarian's Record
11 Jul 2004, 13:11 UTC
Philip Rabinowitz of South Africa became the world's fastest 100-year-old Saturday, cutting more than five seconds from the record time for a 100-meter sprint by a centenarian.
Mr. Rabinowitz ran 100 meters in 30.86 seconds at a stadium on Cape Town and said he felt "absolutely wonderful."
The previous record time for a 100-year-old was 36.1 seconds.
South African athletics officials used electronic timers to certify Saturday's time, in contrast to last week, when Mr. Rabinowitz made a similar run but his effort was spoiled by a faulty timing mechanism.
Mr. Rabinowitz works as a bookkeeper for his daughter and says he tries to walk at least six kilometer every day. He says exercising regularly makes him feel "younger and younger."