Haryana's 106-Year-Old Record-Breaking Sprinter Wins Gold

Haryana's 106-year-old Rambai, a sprinter who took up athletics two years ago is ruling the headlines once again for winning 3 gold medals. 

The woman took part in three competitions at the 18th National Open Athletics Championships held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. 

Rambai snagged three gold medals in the above-85 category. She won gold in the 100m sprint, 200m sprint, and shot put. 

Last year at the National Open Masters Athletics Championships in Vadodara, Gujarat, the then-105-year-old woman from Haryana defied all expectations and broke the 100-meter sprint record. With a time of 45.40 seconds, she finished the race.

Due to a lack of opponents in the segment, the inspirational Rambai, who had entered in the above-100 category, had to finish the race alone. She didn't stop there, though, as she ran the entire course in 45.40 seconds. This enabled her to beat the late Man Kaur's 74-second national record for the over-100-meter sprint at the 2017 World Masters Games.

Her endeavour shocked the nation, and now everyone wants to know who she is and what her secret is regarding her drive and fitness. She has gained popularity online, and her success has inspired many people to take on new challenges. Here's everything we know about her.

Who is Rambai?

She was born on January 1, 1917. She belongs to Haryana. Rambai has been travelling from place to place. Sharmila Sangwan, her granddaughter, who is very motivated by her grandma, travels with her everywhere. She made her running debut in Varanasi in November of last year and has since won numerous medals at competitions in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala.

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Rambai was the lone competitor in the race for people over 85 at the Vadodara competition. Rambai made a run for it, winning not just one medal by competing in the 100-meter race on June 15 and the 200-meter race on Sunday, finishing in 1 minute 52.17 seconds.

Reportedly, she consistently consumes buffalo milk and ghee, which are the secrets to her commendable physical condition. Sharmila Sangwan shared that Rambai preferred bajra or millet roti (flat bread made of millet) over rice when it comes to whole grains. She follows this diet religiously, eating 500g of curd and 250g of ghee every day in addition to enjoying her fair portion of churma. Her busy lifestyle includes working in the fields and running 3 to 4 kilometers each day. She also consumes only organic foods since they are produced in the village.

Rambai has been further inspired by these successes and now wants to participate internationally. She is making plans to have her passport ready and is prepared to display her physical fitness.