You wouldn’t know it just by looking but 84-year-old Tony Bowman, from Leeds, had already suffered two heart attacks.
But none of that is in evidence as the athletic grandfather-of-two even won three medals in the 80-84 category at the European Masters in Italy.
In the 80m hurdles, Bowman won gold, while he scored a silver in the 400m relay and a bronze in the decathlon. He was fourth in the 100m and fifth in the 200m.
Watch the video of his inspiring story below.
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Video credit: Rumble
He suffered heart attacks in his 70’s which forced him to cut down on chocolate and alcohol because he has a life-long goal of running 100m when he’s 100 years old and living to 120.
Despite the heart attack in 2006, he still won the historical Musselburgh New Year Sprint, in East Lothian, Scotland, during his comeback race. And ever since entering the Masters category (which is anyone from 35 years old and older), he broke 11 British athletic records.
He holds medals in the European, international, and decathlon races.
Bowman said that while younger athletes can outperform him, there is no other 84-year-old ‘in the world’ who is faster than him. In fact, he’s excited at turning 85 so that he can compete in the next age category.
To keep himself healthy, he has ‘cut down to one glass of wine every other day’ and also does the cha-cha and ballroom dancing as well as playing hockey.
Tony said: “I can’t let my heart get in the way of my training. When I am sprinting I have to give it my absolute all, my heart is the last thing on my mind.
“I feel like a 50-year-old and life is good.”
He adds that he’s thankful and ‘very blessed’ with good genes but still puts in the effort to keep fit. He also ‘loves the feeling of running and sweating.’ Following his heart failure last year, it crossed his mind that he might be on his ‘last legs’ with the sport he loves.
When he was 15 to 16 years old, Bowman represented Middlesex schools as well as won the hurdles championship in White City, London. At an All England Schools even in Bradford, Bowman came in second.
He stopped running at 27 but took it up again when he moved to Kirkstall, Leeds, to work for Whitbread brewery. He entered the veteran’s category, known as the Masters today.
Because he spends his own money on tracksuits, travel, and entry fees, he said it ‘would be great’ to get sponsorship.
“I’m doing all of this for my country, a country that I love, and it would be nice to be able to have some help.”
Bowman travels to different countries to compete in Masters events. Next on his list are upcoming competitions in Portugal and Toronto.
The Masters has seen men as old as 105 and women past 100 competing in running, throwing, and jumping events.
Replaced!