On Sunday, Emma Maria Mazzenga, 90, from Padua, Italy, claimed one other world report within the W90+ class, clocking 51.47 seconds over 200m outdoor in San Biagio di Callalta, Treviso, Italy, breaking the earlier world report by a minute and 48 seconds. (Mazzenga broke the indoor report in January, operating 54.47 at a meet in Veneto, Italy.)
Growing old with grace and grit
In an interview with Reuters, Mazzenga shared that after taking a 20-year hiatus from operating to lift her kids, she returned to the game at 53, starting her promising profession as a grasp’s athlete. Over the past 37 years, she has collected 5 world information, 9 European information and 28 Italian information in varied classes.
Mazzenga made tackling such a feat look simple, confidently cruising across the observe like she was warming up. It is advisable to see this to imagine it.
Mazzenga crossed the end line with a giant grin, barely breaking a sweat. “I’m very pleased and glad, and in addition a bit shocked, as a result of I didn’t assume I went that quick,” she mentioned post-race.
Advantages of “blue zones”
Mazzenga lives in Italy, identified for its excessive life expectancy, notably in Sardinia, one of many world’s 4 “blue zones” (areas of the world which have the next variety of people who dwell longer than the anticipated common). The opposite three blue zones embrace Okinawa (Japan), Nicoya (Costa Rica) and Ikaria (Greece).
Japan’s Emiko Saito set the earlier world report for the 200m within the W90+ class in 2022, operating 53.35 seconds. (Japan, like Italy, is thought for its excessive life expectancy–84.95 throughout genders, in accordance with Worldometer. Consultants argue it’s because they prioritize “Moais”–a small, tightly knit social circle that helps a wholesome psychological state all through life, which extends into previous age.)
WATCH: 91-year-old Italian girl speeds to age-group 200m world report
Associates and wine: good for the soles
For Mazzenga, sprinting is greater than only a sport. It’s a approach to keep related. Working “allowed me at all times to be surrounded by lots of people, in order that I used to be by no means alone,” she mentioned in her interview with Reuters. This social interplay, notably the laughter it brings, has been discovered to enhance psychological well-being and enhance the life expectancy of populations in Italy.
Mazzenga shared that she usually enjoys grabbing beers with fellow runners to rejoice her success. Apparently, one examine discovered that the common alcohol consumption in Sardinia is the same as that of Padua, the place longevity is barely decrease, indicating, if not the doable protecting advantages of alcohol consumption, at the very least a impartial impact on longevity in that area.
Working to cut back stress
Working has additionally been a strong device for Mazzenga in managing stress. “It received me by means of some tough instances, which after all haven’t been missing in a life so long as mine,” she shared. Whereas full avoidance of stress is unattainable, specialists say discovering methods to manage improves longevity. Whereas Mazzenga reportedly strives for perfection in her coaching, exterior of operating, she maintains a wholesome stability, together with friendships, leisure and common bodily exercise.
Remarkably, Mazzenga’s common ending time within the 200m is simply getting sooner as she ages. Earlier than her 91st birthday, she plans to complete the 12 months off sturdy and race in June’s Italian championships, though, Mazzenga joked, she prefers “to not make long-term plans.”
