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'Nippy' Nihal, 101, eyeing up world record for 100-metre 'dash'

Sprightly centenarian has only one rival for 'sprint' at inaugural Americas Masters Games in Vancouver - and he's 100 years old
Nihal
Nihal Gil is preparing, at the age of 101, to break the world record at the inaugural Americas Masters Games in Vancouver for the 100-metre ‘dash’ in the 100-plus age category.

Usain Bolt had better watch out — “Nippy” Nihal Gil, at 101-years-young, is coming after you.

Before taking on the world’s fastest man, though, the amazing Gil first has to despatch with his only rival in the 100-metre “dash” in the 100-plus age category in the inaugural Americas Masters Games, which kick off in Vancouver this weekend.

However, Gil — who has been training hard for months by walking around his Terra Nova neighbourhood and the perimeter of his son’s detached home five times a day — isn’t even contemplating a silver medal, even though he’s never “competed” before and his sole competitor has a year’s advantage on him at age 100.

“I know him. Even though he’s younger than me, I’m faster than him. I’m going to win,” east Indian-born Gil said bluntly in Punjabi, while being interpreted by grandson Gary Singh.

Singh said his grandfather, who almost died of pneumonia just before his 100th birthday, is also eying the 100-metre record for centenarians, which is understood to be one minute and 17 seconds, set in May by 100-year-old Ida Keeling at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

“We’ve timed him walking around my dad’s house — which is about 100 metres around — and we think he will beat this time, he can go quite quick, he’s incredible,” said Singh, adding that his grandfather is also entered in the 200-metre race during the nine-day competition, which has drawn mature athletes from all over the world, age 30 and up, to compete in Olympic-style events.

Gil’s sole rival in both races is also, coincidentally, a native of India.

And it’s those east Indian roots — Gil immigrated to Canada more than 40 years ago — that have played a big role in the 101-year-old’s longevity in life, according to Singh.

“Everything was organic in India in those days; and he has his own organic garden here, he drinks organic shakes and prays every day,” said his grandson, adding that Gil’s father lived to 106.

“He’s never been on medication for blood pressure, cholesterol, never been to the dentist, he has all his teeth, he bathes himself, cooks for himself.

“His doctor thinks he’s amazing and so do we.”

Gil was a farmer most of his life and worked in the family’s construction business in Canada until he was 96, when he was still doing light labouring duties.

“In December 2014, he contracted pneumonia and doctors told us he was unlikely to survive; after all, he was almost 100,” recalled Singh.

“An 80-year-old guy came in, also with pneumonia, and died a few days later.

“But when we realized (hospital staff) were giving him all those booster products with chemicals and stuff, we stopped that and brought in organic shakes and other organic food. He was home in two weeks.”

Singh also recalled how, about nine years ago, his fitness fanatic grandfather had been walking every day for about three months with a broken foot.

“He’s a pretty tough old guy, that’s for sure,” Singh said.

Gil’s talent has also caught the eye of the corporate world, bagging a sponsorship from Seattle-based  firm OrganaPure.