Loxton 94-year-old Percy Voigt proves age is no barrier to achieving athletic success

As the fall solar gleams indisposed at the Kadina race monitor, crowds pack for the primary match of the 2024 SA Masters Video games: the 100-metre dash for competition elderly 90 to 94.

The foundation gun fires and one explicit runner takes to the air with gusto, passing competition through in clothes no longer most often observable at an athletics carnival.

Together with his sage inexperienced polo tucked smartly into his brown wool trousers and a smile on his face stretching ear to ear, 94-year-old Percy Voigt stands proud from the folk for extra causes than one.

Because the end form attracts nearer, there’s a twinkle in Mr Voigt’s visual as he realises any other gold medal will quickly be added to his tally — one thing he didn’t suppose used to be conceivable two years in the past.

Gradual and secure wins the race

But even so the occasional crash of tennis on weekends, Mr Voigt used to be by no means one to experience workout — actually, his athletic profession most effective began in his 90s.

Elderly 92 and affected by level 3 emphysema and osteoarthritis, Mr Voigt used to be observing TV when an commercial for the SA Masters Video games got here on.

The cheeky, spirited senior leant over to his public and joked, “Ah I could do that. I could run”.

“I was only kidding, I wasn’t fair dinkum. But they said, ‘All right, big mouth, come and have a try, and let’s see what you can do’,” he mentioned.

Earlier than he knew it, Mr Voigt used to be tying up his shoelaces and heading right down to Loxton Oval to effort his success at a 100m dash.

“It didn’t go too well. I couldn’t even run the 100m at first,” he mentioned.

However with a minute choice and some degree to turn out, Mr Voigt determined to surrender smoking, center of attention on his condition and display his public he may just do the rest he put his thoughts to. 

A couple of months nearest, he competed in his first SA Masters Video games at Bordertown Top Faculty, competing within the 60m and 100m runs.

By way of 2023, Mr Voigt had competed on the Australian Masters Video games in 5 occasions, together with the 1,500m go, shot-put, speak about, javelin and the 100m dash.

“The Australian Masters Games was encouraging because I started to break my personal best times … and I thought to myself, ‘Hey this is pretty good’,” he mentioned.

A pristine rent on year 

Since first competing, Mr Voigt has discovered a love for condition and now has a lively workout regimen along with his trainer and son-in-law Peter Hamilton.

The pair now teach in combination two days a date at Loxton Oval and in a hydrotherapy pond.

In Mr Voigt’s downtime, he walks 3 times a date, rides his three-wheel bicycle, and makes use of Loxton’s crowd outside fitness center apparatus. 

“Gradually over the years I have become better and better … all the pains have disappeared and the muscles and joints are working well again now,” he mentioned.

Dr Hamilton mentioned Mr Voigt’s choice had no longer most effective impressed his public, however the entire Loxton public.

“Perce will tell you himself that in his 50s and 60s he was not nearly as fit as he is now,” Dr Hamilton mentioned. 

“I feel that’s a splendid instance to us all, that being wholesome and glad … is a bundle about your perspective.

No longer in a position to throw within the towel simply but

With 19 medals now under his belt, Mr Voigt said he was looking forward to his next shot at winning gold. 

“I feel I’ll give it any other effort,” he mentioned. 

As for his secret to a long, happy and healthy life, Mr Voigt said optimism was key.

“I feel it’s principally having a excellent certain perspective,” he mentioned.

“The used I develop, the quicker I progress!”