▲ Sawang Janpram from Thailand
"I slept well and my condition is great."
Sawang Janpram, a 106-year-old Thai participant and the oldest athlete at the 2026 Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships, shared these words at the Daegu Stadium on the 26th, the day before his first event.
Sawang appeared unfazed by the scorching heat in Daegu, where temperatures exceeded 36°C (97°F) at around 3 p.m. that day.
Accompanied by his 74-year-old daughter Siripan and other members of the Thai athletics delegation, he warmed up by lightly walking and running on the track at Daegu Stadium.
Due to his advanced age, he did not run fast or long, but exercised at his own pace for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Athletes from around the world showed great interest, approaching and watching as Sawang appeared while they were working out themselves.
Laughter erupted among the onlookers when Sawang participated in a short relay race with another athlete.
After his warm-up, showing no signs of fatigue, he drank cold water and said, "It is not tiring."
He emphasized, "I am 100% ready for the competition. I slept well and my condition is good."
His daughter Siripan also worked up a sweat, diligently stretching and running for the remaining events.
Siripan smiled and joked, "I brought the wrong shoes from Thailand, so my javelin throw result yesterday wasn't good."
She is competing in three events at this tournament: the javelin throw, shot put, and discus throw.
Sawang had a light meal focusing on eggs and vegetables at his accommodation earlier that morning.
Afterward, he exercised for about 40 minutes by walking and light jogging with his daughter Siripan and others at a park near their accommodation.
Lim Kyeong-tae, a guide for the Thai delegation, said, "Elder Sawang tries to participate actively in everything. Perhaps because this is his first visit to Korea, while other athletes sleep during vehicle transfers, he constantly looks out the window at the scenery."
Sawang will make his first appearance in the men's 95-and-older discus throw event at Daegu Stadium at 11 a.m. on the 27th.
Two days later, he will compete in the javelin throw event for the same age group.
He is considered a strong contender for the gold medals in both events as long as he is not disqualified.
Sawang has previously won a total of 78 medals in various amateur athletics competitions.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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