Italy's 90-Year-Old Sprinter Sets New World Record

In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, Emma Maria Mazzenga, a 90-year-old Italian sprinter, has shattered the world record for the 200 meters in her age group. Mazzenga clocked an impressive 51.47 seconds in the women's 90 and over category, surpassing the previous record of 53.35 seconds set by Japan's Emiko Saito in 2022. This achievement adds to her already illustrious career, which includes five world records, nine European records, and 28 best Italian performances in various Masters sprinting categories.

Born on August 1, 1933, Mazzenga's journey to becoming the world's fastest 90-year-old woman sprinter is both inspiring and unconventional. She began running as a young woman but paused her athletic pursuits after getting married and having children. It wasn't until she was 53 that she resumed her running career, this time as a Masters athlete—a category for older runners organized by age group.

Italy, known for having the oldest population in the European Union, where one in four are aged over 65, is a fitting home for Mazzenga's extraordinary achievements. Her recent record-breaking run took place in San Biagio di Callalta, Treviso, Italy, on May 4, 2024. Reflecting on her performance, Mazzenga expressed both happiness and surprise at her speed. "I am very happy and satisfied, and also a bit surprised because I didn't think I went that fast," she said modestly.

Mazzenga's accomplishments are particularly noteworthy when compared to other records in the world of athletics. The women's 200 meters world record, set by the late American athlete Florence Griffith Joyner in 1988, stands at 21.34 seconds. Griffith Joyner was 28 at the time. In the Masters categories, the record for women aged 50 and over is 24.33 seconds, held by Jamaican-Slovenian athlete Merlene Ottey, while the record for women aged 70 and over is 31.30 seconds, held by Ingrid Meier of Germany. There is even a record for women aged 100 and over, set by Diane Friedman of the United States, at 1 minute, 29.79 seconds.

Mazzenga's success is not just a testament to her physical abilities but also to her disciplined approach to training. She follows precise rituals for her races, such as running without socks and never wearing the same shoes as for training. Despite often having no direct rivals in her W90 category, she remains focused on achieving good times. "If I have no competitors, I know that I'll win from the start, so my aim is to do a good time," she explained.

Her running career has provided her with much more than just records and medals. It has been a source of comfort and companionship, especially during difficult times. "It got me through some difficult times, which of course haven't been lacking in a life as long as mine," Mazzenga shared. Running "also allowed me always to be surrounded by a lot of people, so that I was never alone," she added.

Looking ahead, Mazzenga has her sights set on the Italian championships starting in June and the world championships in Sweden next year. However, she humorously noted that she prefers "not to make long-term plans."

Mazzenga's story is a powerful reminder that age is no barrier to achieving greatness. Her dedication, resilience, and passion for running continue to inspire not only her fellow athletes but also anyone who believes that it's never too late to pursue one's dreams.