Surat’s 92-yr-old sprint star wins 100m gold at Varanasi | Surat News – Times of India

Surat: 92 is not an age to run around the field. Try telling this to Surat’s Haresh Desai. When most of his peers thank their stars if they manage a slow walk in the morning, Desai is busy bagging medals, that too at national level athletics meet. At a time when most others, especially senior citizens, are worried about the possible third wave of Covid, Desai not only participated in an athletics meet but also clinched two medals in it. Desai, a retired bank employee, finished on the top of podium in the 100m event of the Nationals Masters Athletics Championship. The event was held in Varanasi in November.
Along with the gold, Desai also clinched a silver medal in the hammer throw event on the championship. Desai, who used to lay badminton during his college days, can read without spectacles. He practices daily, is untouched by ailments like diabetes or blood pressure and wishes to keep playing till the last day of his life.
“I started winning medals at national and international events when I was 81-year-old,” says Desai with a smile. He has represented India at Asian Masters Championship at Malaysia in 2010. He won national masters events in 2012, 2016 and 2017.