This picture and story serve as a tribute to Philip Rabinowitz who at the time this picture was taken was 104 years old and still going strong. Sadly though he passed away a week later.
Philip Rabinowitz formally of Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa is still the oldest, fastest man in the world and reached his 104th birthday milestone on the 16th February 2008. Philip currently holds the world record for being the oldest active competitive walker and secured his record in the Guinness Book of World Records under the category of Human Achievements already in the year 2000. He currently has the esteemed and accomplished privilege of holding the world records for the 100m and 200m sprints in his age group.
As a member of the Spartan Harriers Athletics Club in Cape Town he proudly wore his age on his vest like a medal of honour printed in big, bold red numbers.
Philip Rabinowitz was born in Lithuania in 1904, one of seven boys. When he was 21 he left the country due to anti Semitism. After settling in South Africa, he managed to raise the money to pay for his family to join him there. All but two of his brothers, who tragically passed away in concentration camps, joined him. He met his wife in 1935 and they had two daughters Carin and Joyce.
Philip has always enjoyed exercise. When he was just 70 years old he decided to take up Karate. He jogged until he was 88 years old. Modestly he put his fitness down to a healthy diet, an active mind and to not worrying. A family member is quoted as saying that he was a truly wonderful person loved by everyone he met.
Other than walking daily he busied himself in other ways too. A bookkeeper by profession he helped his daughter Joyce, with whom he lived, in her pet food business with some bookkeeping and also assisted in the factory with a few basic chores.
Occasionally when he needed a little bit of help to get ready he found it in his friend Ignatius Galawe (35) who fondly lent him a hand. Like an excited, living, wound up automaton he tied his shoelaces and geared himself up for his walk, pacing up and down the office before heading out. When walking though he set off at an incredible pace and needed no help at all. One was left chasing after him as he happily strode up the bridge for his mornings walk and hardly broke a sweat. Perhaps we as the Human Race can learn more from someone like the legendary Philip Rabinowitz who is still the oldest, fastest human racing machine ever! (PICTURE © MARK WESSELS. 22/03/2008).
1 comment:
Nice tribute!
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