He didn’t break any world records, but “Nippy” Nihal Gil still stole the show at the inaugural Americas Masters Games on the weekend.
The 101-year-old Richmondite won the gold medal in the 100-metre “dash” in the 100-plus men’s event.
It was an incredible achievement for the centenarian, even though his only expected rival — a 100-year-old man from India — failed to show up at the athletic event at UBC on Sunday.
And by completing the distance in one minute and 25 seconds, it appears that Gil has set a new B.C. and Canadian record for his age group.
“He was still the star of the Games it seems, there were cameras all over him,” said Gil’s grandson, Gary Singh.
“It’s not a world record, but we think it’s a B.C. and Canadian record; we’re checking that right now.”
Gil was due to also run this week in the Games’ 200 metre event in his category, but Singh seems to think it might be one race too many.
The nine-day competition has drawn mature athletes from all over the world, age 30 and up, to compete in Olympic-style events in Vancouver.
The News reported last week how Gil — who had been training hard for months by walking around the perimiter of his son’s Terra Nova home five times a day — has never competed in any sport in his long life.
A lifetime of eating organic was cited by Gil for his longevity.
Gil’s talent has also caught the eye of the corporate world, bagging a sponsorship from Seattle-based firm OrganaPure
