99-Year-Old Kiwi Athlete Defies Age at Taipei World Masters Games

TaiwanPlus News

Allan Martin is nearing 100 years old, but he doesn't let age stop him from giving life all he's got. The New Zealand native is competing the 2025 World Masters Games in Taipei, running in the 100, 200, and 400-meter races and participating in the field events of javelin and discus. He tells TaiwanPlus it's hard, but he's running for the challenge.

Transcript

00:01How old is too old to compete in international sports events?

00:05For 99-year-old athlete Alan Martin, there is no age limit on competitive spirit.

00:11The New Zealand native has just touched down in Taipei for the 2025 World Masters Games,

00:16a multi-sport contest for people aged 30 and up.

00:19It's a real challenge, and if you can do it, why not?

00:25It's enjoyable, and it's a challenge.

00:29Hello!

00:32You're famous, Grandpa. You're famous.

00:35The near-centenarian Martin has already bagged eight gold medals in previous World Masters Games.

00:41This year, he's entered himself in five of the competition's 35 events,

00:45the 100, 200 and 400 metre dash, as well as the javelin and discus.

00:50And he's the only one showing up in his age group for all of those events.

00:55Well, let's say I'm used to coming last because if there's no other competitor of my age,

01:01they put me in a lower group, say 80 to 85, and you're running with them.

01:07So that's the challenge in itself.

01:10Anyway, getting around, completing the course, doing what I said I'm going to do,

01:16and those are the challenges that I have got, and hopefully do reasonably well.

01:22Martin was retired when he laced up his running shoes for the first time,

01:26taking to the track after a long career as a pilot-turned-journalist,

01:31first flying with New Zealand's J-Force in Japan, then reporting from South Africa,

01:35London, Australia and Gallipoli in today's Turkey.

01:38He says his childhood in rural New Zealand gave him the drive he needed in his varied career,

01:44including as an older athlete.

01:46If you grew up on a farm, let's say, I think that's where you learn certain disciplines,

01:52because it's always hard work on a farm, and I think in anything I've done in my life,

01:56it's always because I'm generally tempted to work hard at it.

02:01And when Martin hits the track this time, he'll have a familiar face cheering him on from the stands.

02:06His granddaughter Paul has travelled to Taipei to show her support.

02:10She says Martin has been an inspiration to her,

02:13and she even decided to compete in her first triathlon later this year in his honour.

02:18I stayed with him for a month last year in New Zealand.

02:21He was getting up every morning at 6am, doing his workout,

02:26and it's so inspiring to see someone to keep active and keep a positive mindset.

02:33Taipei will mark Martin's fourth World Masters Games.

02:37He previously competed in Italy, Australia and his home country of New Zealand.

02:42And he's always thinking ahead to the next event.

02:45Well, assuming I'm alive of course,

02:48the next one is the Australian Games in Canberra at the end of this year.

02:53That would be my next goal.

02:56At almost 100 years old, Martin's unstoppable spirit proves age is just a number,

03:02and that hard work and discipline are the best drivers of success.

03:06Alex Chen, Sandy Chee and Lauren Padamore for Taiwan Plus.

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