Age is no bar for this NRI athletic mother-son duo
Sunday, July 24, 2011http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Age-is-no-bar-for-this-NRI-athletic-mother-son-duo/articleshow/9342986.cms
They defy age and have proved that barriers exist only in the mind. Meet mother-son duo of Mann Kaur (95) and Gurdev Singh (73), whose stamina, speed and skill would make even the great sprinter Usain Bolt marvel.
Mann, who belongs to Chandigarh, has raced her way to glory in many championships with training from her son Gurdev, who lives in Canada and is also an extraordinary runner.
Recently, Mann won a gold medal each in 100m and 200m in the World Masters Athletic Championship held in Sacramento, California, from July 6-17. But her foray into athletics came after much persuasion from Gurdev.
Three years ago, the son managed to field her mother in the 32nd National Masters Athletics Championship in Chandigarh. Reluctant Mann was in no mood to take up the challenge but eventually did so to please Gurdev. Interestingly, she went on to win the gold and eventually qualified for the world championship, where she bagged two more gold medals. What's more, she clocked 50 seconds in the 100m dash. An unparallel feat!
Gurdev, who guides her mom, boasts of clocking 14.9 seconds in the 100m, something which is incredible for his age. The Canadian citizen participates in 100m, 200m and long jump events. Gurdev was inspired when he saw a 90-year-old athlete participating in the world championships in Canada in 2008. The next thought that came to his mind was of her mother. "But I did not expect that she would go so far," he admitted.
