103-year-old challenges world's fastest man

103-year-old Japanese sprinter Hidekichi Miyazaki (2nd left) runs during men's 100m dash at a Japan Masters Athletics competition in Kyoto on Aug 3. Miyazaki, who holds the 100 metres world record for centenarians at 29.83 seconds and is dubbed 'Golden Bolt' after the Jamaican flyer, plans to wait another five years for his dream race. Toru Yamanaka / AFP

Japan's 'Golden Bolt' proves that age is no obstacle to staying in shape

Closing in on his 104th birthday, a twinkle-toed Japanese sprinter has thrown down the challenge to the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, telling him: "Let's rumble!"

Hidekichi Miyazaki - who holds the 100m world record for centenarians at 29.83 seconds and is dubbed "Golden Bolt" after the Jamaican runner - plans to wait another five years for his dream race and was happy to reveal his secret weapon: his daughter's tangerine jam.

"I'd love to race Bolt," the wispy-haired Miyazaki told AFP in an interview after tottering over the line with a joyful whoop at a recent Japan Masters Athletics competition in Kyoto.

"I'm keeping the dream alive. I try to stay in top shape and stay disciplined and healthy. That's important for everyone - even Usain Bolt."

Born in 1910, Miyazaki offered some dietary tips to Bolt, whose world record is 9.58 seconds.

"My body is small, so I take care of what I eat," said Miyazaki, who stands just 1.53 meters tall and weighs 42 kg.

"When I eat, I chew each mouthful 30 times before swallowing," he added, loosening his Usain Bolt running shoes. "That makes my tummy happy and helps my running. And I eat my tangerine jam every day."

In a country with one of the world's highest life expectancies, Miyazaki is the poster boy for Japan's turbocharged geriatrics.

About 6,000 pensioners are registered at the Masters federation, which hosts more than 40 track-and-field meetings every year across the nation.

Serenaded by buzzing cicadas in sweltering heat, Miyazaki fell into the arms of 73-year-old daughter Kiyono after clocking in at 38.35 - more than 20 seconds behind race winner Yoshio Kita, a relatively young 82.

"I'd give myself five out of 10 for that," he said after regaining his breath and copying Bolt's trademark "lightning" pose. "Before I ran, I curled up for a little nap - big mistake! I felt stiff.

"I'm still young so it's a learning process," joked Miyazaki, grinning from ear to ear as he put on a straw hat. "I can run for another five years."

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