A 71-year-old Chinese sprinter has become a national sensation after shattering the Chinese record for the 100-meter dash in his age group, showing age is no limit to achieving greatness. Dressed in a purple vest and bright orange shoes, Jin Hui, the runner, clocked 13.97 seconds in the 100-meter dash at the 2024 China Masters Athletics Championships held in east China's Qingdao City in late October. His achievement set a new national record for his age group.
Coach Zhang Zhongliang attributed Jin's exceptional performance to discipline, eagerness to learn, and unwavering spirit of perseverance.
"At his age, achieving a time of covering 100 meters in just over 13 seconds is something that many young people could hardly imagine," said the coach.
The China Athletics Masters Championship is a prestigious event organized by the Chinese Athletics Association, catering to retired professional athletes and passionate enthusiasts aged 35 and older. The competition features 10 age groups, ranging from 35 to 84 years, making it the highest-level event for senior athletes in the country.
In addition to his remarkable performance in the 100 meters, Jin also competed in the 200 meters, long jump, 4×100 meter relay, and 4×400 meter relay, winning gold medals in all five events.
"In this running race, I participated in five events and won gold medals in all of them. I was enjoying myself. Breaking the record was the happiest moment of my life. When you surpass your ultimate goals, that feeling is just incredible!" Jin said.
Jin's journey to athletic stardom began after his retirement in 2008 at the age of 55.
A former maintenance worker at a steel plant in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, he initially struggled to find purpose in retirement. After moving to Qingdao to live with his children, he joined a local senior soccer team. Though he admits his skills weren't the best, his competitive spirit drove him to maintaining his physical fitness.
Last year, a teammate encouraged him to try sprinting competitions. To his surprise, Jin finished second in the 100 meters at the National Masters Championships with a time of 15.26 seconds. This experience revealed his sprinting potential, prompting him to seek professional coaching and develop a tailored fitness and training regimen.
He has been competing throughout 2024, consistently improving his performance.
Behind his steady progress lies a clear goal, unwavering commitment, and a strong belief in himself.
Jin now has his sights set on international competition. He hopes to represent China and compete against athletes from around the world, showcasing the vitality and spirit of Chinese seniors.
71-year-old sprinter redefines aging with tenacity, record-breaking performance
