106-year-old athlete wins gold twice at World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu

A 106-year-old Thai athlete won two gold medals at the World Masters Athletics Championships (WMAC) in Daegu, setting a world amateur record for discus throw and becoming the oldest competitor at this year’s tournament.

Sawang Janpram recorded 7.59 meters (24.9 feet) in the discus throw for competitors aged 100 and older on Thursday, then won gold in the javelin throw in the same age category on Saturday. 

WMAC is a grassroots international track and field competition for masters-level athletes — typically defined as competitors aged 35 and older — organized under World Masters Athletics, the global governing body for masters athletics.

Janpram said that taking part in the competition was deeply meaningful to him. “My next goal is to compete in a major track and field event in Phetchabun, Thailand, in 2027,” he said during the award ceremony. 

Born in 1920, he began exercising in earnest at age 80 after watching a friend’s health decline.“I hope that young people realize the importance of health and exercise every day,” he said.

Janpram has continued to compete in international masters competitions even past age 100. At last year’s WMAC in Taiwan, he drew significant attention by competing and winning gold in four events — the 100 meters, shot put, discus and javelin — at the age of 105.

His daughter, Siripan Janpram, 75, also competed at this year’s tournament, taking part in shot put, discus and javelin while also serving as her father’s guardian and coach. The two expressed their gratitude to each other during the awards ceremony.

The 2026 WMAC, taking place at Daegu Stadium and surrounding venues from Aug. 22 through Thursday, has drawn masters track and field athletes from 106 countries competing in age-based divisions.

BY BAEK KYUNG-SEO [[email protected]]