71-year-old Jin Hui recently became the first Chinese man over the age of 70 to run 100 meters in under 14 seconds during a competition that saw him winning five gold medals in his age group.
Jin Hui became known as China’s “hardcore uncle” after dominating the 2024 China Track and Field Masters, a competition that challenges athletes between the ages of 35 and 84 to compete in a variety of track and field events. It was Jin Hui’s second time competing in the prestigious event following his debut in 2023 when he finished second in the 100-meter race with a respectable time of 15.26 seconds, but he somehow managed to blow everyone away with his performance. Not only did the septuagenarian set a new national record for the 100-meter race in his age group, but he also snatched the gold medal in all the five events he participated in.
“I participated in five events in this Masters Tournament and won gold medals in all of them,” Jin told CCTV News. “I enjoyed myself. Breaking records was the happiest moment in my life. It feels so good to break your limit!”
In addition to the 100m, Jin Hui also participated in the 200m, long jump, 4×100m relay, and 4×400m relay at the 2024 China Track and Field Masters, dominating each event with his incredible athleticism.
In the popular 100-meter race, Jin Hui crossed the finish line with a time of 13.97 seconds, becoming the first Chinese person to complete the race in under 14 seconds. He now has his sights set on international success, planning to compete against foreign champions and make his home country proud.
It’s easy to assume that Jin Hui is a retired athlete with decades of experience, but the truth is that he only discovered track and field after retiring from his job as a maintenance worker in a steel plant in Inner Mongolia in 2008. For a while, he was confused about what to do with his free time, but his son urged him to join the senior football team in Qingdao, and despite not being as skilled as the other players, he was determined to train harder than everyone else.
“Since I didn’t have good skills, I ran 7,000 meters while others ran 5,000 meters, so I developed my physical fitness,” Jin Hui said, adding that it was this way of training that made his teammates notice his speed and suggest that he sign up for a running competition.
Jin Hui’s success has inspired people of all ages to take up sports, but doctors have issued a warning that sprinting isn’t necessarily the healthiest sport for elderly people 70 and over, as it comes with many health risks. Everyone should first consult their doctor and assess their physical capabilities before engaging in demanding physical activities.
