Japan is well known as a country that boats long life spans and values a healthy diet, but this elderly physical specimen may be raising that bar to unreachable heights!

Hidekichi Miyazaki, affectionately known as "Golden Bolt", set a world record in Kyoto with a mark of 42.22 seconds in a 100 meter dash. This new record came in the over 105 years category, and is the first such record in the category. Despite the new record and amazement of those in attendance, including his great-grandchildren, the petite Miyazaki was somewhat disappointed in his performance, telling AFP "I'll have to train harder. Training was going splendidly, so I had set myself a target of 35 seconds. I can still go faster."

The Japanese are often praised for their nation's long average life-expectancy and healthy nutrition (Miyazaki hails from Shizuoka prefecture, which is famous for its green tea), and Miyazaki is no exception, stating that "My brain might not be the sharpest but physically I'm tip-top. I've never had any health problems. The doctors are amazed by me. I can definitely keep on running for another two or three years."

It certainly is inspiring to see a man of this age not only taking care of himself, but actively competing and doing something that he loves. However, Miyazaki isn't quite done yet. In fact, the ambitious runner has targets set on a future opponent--Usain Bolt: "I would still love to compete against him...Two or three years ago Bolt came to Japan and said he wanted to meet me. There was a call about it but I was out and he left without meeting me. I felt deeply sorry."

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Source: nbcsports

Well, we're certainly impressed with his condition and willpower, and hope he can keep at his passion for as long as he wants to. We're betting that he's got plenty of green tea stored up, too.


By - grape Japan editorial staff.