The late Everett Hosack was just a kid of 100 when he ran 60 meters in 27.29 at 2002 Boston indoor nationals for a world record. What would he say of Polish sprinter Stanislaw Kowalski? Stan the Man is 104, and over the weekend he broke 20 seconds in the indoor 60 at a Torun meet. His 19.72 came alongside two other runners — just enough for a WR under the rules. (See the video making the rounds.) For an encore, he destroyed Everett’s listed M100 record in the shot of 3.66 meters (12-0) by tossing the 6.6-pound ball 5.08 meters (16-8). On this side of the pond, 100-year-old James Kale long-jumped 3-11 3/4 (a debut WR in the event), put the shot 11-8 and tossed the javelin 23-0. See results for him and others at the Florida International Senior Games and State Championships.

Meanwhile, savor this Google translation of a Polish report on Stan:

Stanislaw Kowalski from Swidnica broke the world record in men’s 60 meters and shot put during the Team Indoor Championships Polish Veterans, which took place over the weekend in Torun.

The competition in Torun involved 140 players who have set up 14 records Polish and 2 world records. The latter broke świdniczanin. 104-year-old Stanislaw Kowalski in the age category M 100 was unrivaled in the run up to 60 m (19.72 times) and shot put (5.08 m). This is not the first senior records, because in May broke the European record in the 100 meters.

Mr. Stanislaw was born on April 14, 1910 in the district of Horse. For over 20 years he has lived with 78-year-old daughter in Swidnica. He comes from a long-lived family. My mother lived to 99 years, wife and mother in law 90.

Senior is in great shape even though he did not have an easy life. He survived two wars, and especially the latter gave him firmly in the characters.

“Grandfather not once talked about during the occupation, about hiding from the Germans in haystacks, sleeping in a standard in the cold, that went hungry,” – recalls his grandson Marcus Baszak. “Then over the years was hard work on the railroad and on the farm. It rests on only 25 years old when it moved to the block with her daughter and all take care of him, even though he may not like this.”

Mr. Stanislaw points out that close sometimes treat him like an old woman. Bid doctors to walk, explore and save.

Because you have to watch his grandfather as a child. How ever had to take medicine, tablets found then hidden behind the bed – is responsible Marek.

Grandson stresses, however, that his grandfather always had an unusual cheerfulness and sense of humor.

“He loves to joke itself, for example, how much I must not like it in the ZUS for that still have to pay him a pension.

“This is a man who was never anything not stressed. Can not only play the lottery, because the game addicted. With success, moreover, while those distant. 30 years ago, hit “5” – says Marek Baszak.

When asked about the way to good health and longevity that Mr. Stanislaw responds to this need certainly good genes, but also the will to live.

“Do not overfeed it and would rather not eat at night. But you have to also give clearance. I sometimes even three coffees a day and I drink, but I should not have. Bah! I sometimes even a little alcohol. It is necessary to also move. Sitting at home does not help anyone,” he says.

Same for several years commuted 12 km to work by bike. And this is regardless of the season and the aura of the court.

When the family forbade him rides began to walk. Every day marches, even after 10 km on the occasion of checking their condition. He likes to look out for someone much younger in front of him and chase him, or even to keep up with him.

Usually he goes this art. It was during this walk once saw him świdnicki governor himself every day strongly associated with sport (is the head of the Lower Silesian Association of Athletics). When he met a dashing Sr., found out how much it cheerfulness, decided to show others that you can be in the form of all ages.
– A Stanislaus you record attempt did not take long to persuade – he said.

And although the daughter of Senior nervous that his father wants at this age to play sports competitively, senior stood his ground. Applauded by hundreds of people stood on the treadmill Athletics Stadium Wroclaw University of Physical Education and ran a hundred meters as fast as he could. At the finish he was not tired.

“I feel like I just was born,” he said. He noted not prepared specifically for this test. Over the last few days as usual marched. And he had only three additional training to become familiar with the track.