Rio Olympics track and field
(Representational image). American Masters Games comprises competitors above 30 years of age.Reuters

Many of us would struggle to get out of bed after reaching 90 years or so, while most might not even live that long, but not everyone falls in the same bracket as Man Kaur. This 100-year-old Indian woman, who only started running at the age of 93, already has a rich haul of medals, with the latest one coming at the American Masters Games in Vancouver.

Collecting medals makes her happy, while it also gives her an opportunity to relive the glory moments and recount tales of her success.

"When she wins, she goes back to India, and she's excited to tell others, 'I have won so many medals from this country. Winning makes her happy." PTI quoted Gurdev Singh, who translated for his mother, as saying.

Kaur is one of the oldest participants in the Masters Games, and she always encourages other older women to start running, and talks to them about the importance of staying healthy even at her age.

"She encourages them, old ladies, that they should run, they should not eat wrong foods, and they should encourage their children also to take part in the Games." Singh said.

The Indian was the only one competing in the 100m event of the American Masters Games, crossing the finishing line in 81 seconds. She was cheered on by competitors of the other events in Vancouver, and had the energy to lift her hands aloft with her smile intact after the race. 

What stood out during her sprint event was that she did not break her stride even once. The Masters Games is an event, with competitors needing to be more than 30 years of age.

It is her healthy life, which promoted Gurdev to ask his mother to take up running.

Gurdev said: "I asked her. 'You have no problem, no knee problem, no heart problem, you should start running."