Source: News.com (Australia)
From correspondents in Tokyo
June 21, 2005
From: Agence France-Presse
A 95-year-old Japanese has set an athletics world record - breaking the 100m time for men aged 95-99.
Kozo Haraguchi clocked 22.04 seconds as the sole runner in a race held in rain in the southern city of Miyazaki, the Jiji and Kyodo news agencies said.
The time slashed the previous world mark of 24.01 held by an Australian.
"It was the first time for me to run in rain. I kept thinking to myself that I should not slip before crossing the finish line," he said.
In 2000 Haraguchi established a world record for the ages of 90-94 at 18.08secs in an athletic event.
He began competing in track and field when he was a mere 65 to try to stay in shape, and takes an hour-long walk around his neighborhood every morning.
Asked if he will challenge the record for centenarians, he replied: "I will try as long as I can hold out."
The organizers of the athletic event said they will apply for official recognition of the record from the World Masters Athletics. The body administers athletics events for women aged at least 35 and men not less than 40.
