Tears from the former medalist
100-year-old surprises as a diver at the World Cup
February 13, 2024, 1:36 p.m
As a 100-year-old on the diving board and diving into the water with elegance. Not many people can do that, but the Iranian Taghi Askari can. He impresses with his skills at the World Cup. His comeback comes 73 years after his greatest success.
People rarely live to be 100 years old. They jump into the water even more rarely – and very rarely in an artistic and aesthetic way. But Taghi Askari is a phenomenon who is now making the seemingly impossible possible at the World Swimming and Diving Championships.
The Iranian won silver and bronze as a diver at the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951. 73 years later he is back after his successes. “When I competed at the national level, the last championship I competed in was when I was 41 years old,” Askari said, according to the World Swimming Federation. “I won a gold medal at national level and then I said goodbye to the sport, but at least with a gold medal.”
There was never enough gold internationally, and the Chinese athletes quickly took over supremacy in diving. “When I first took part in the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, the level of diving in Iran was very high and I won two medals,” said Askari. “But by the time the 1974 Games were held in Tehran, the Chinese had gotten into this beautiful sport and started to improve a lot – we just couldn’t catch them as we stayed at the same level we started at.
Medal moves Askari to tears
In Doha he showed outside the competition what he is still capable of – and was rewarded with a medal and a T-shirt from the World Aquatics Association with many signatures. He was moved to tears at the honor.
Of course, Askari didn’t compete in a competition, but was given the chance to put on a special show. Before the women’s three-meter board final, he was allowed to show off his skills. “I have loved diving from my youth until today. Nothing has changed between 1951 and today, except my performance,” Askari is quoted as saying by the world association.
For him, one thing matters most about his sport: “The only thing I want to tell you is that you should love this sport and keep yourself healthy. This can be a good motivation for you to take part in these championships and other championships. ” Because the show was actually good training for him – Askari gets serious again. He will compete in the World Aquatics Masters Championships. Shortly after the Elite World Championships, participants over the age of 25 who do not have professional status will compete there. The Iranian is of course the oldest participant.
(Photo: Zacharie Scheurer/dpa-tmn)
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