Picture Credit: Twitter
Age is just a number. This phrase has been proved right by many people around the globe and India’s Bhagwani Devi Dagar is just an addition to that list. The 94-year-old woman, famously known as ‘Sprinter Dadi’ has done the unbelievable by bagging three medals at the 2022 World Masters Athletics Championships at Tampere, Finland. Devi won one gold and two bronze medals across categories to leave everyone impressed.
At an age when people barely have the strength to move around, Bhagwani Devi took part in the 100m sprint, and on top of that, she won the gold medal by crossing the finish line in 24.74 seconds. Devi, whose father was a para-athlete, did not stop there and won two more medals. The 94-year-old also won the bronze medal in the shot put event.
This is not the first time Bhagwani Devi has inspired everyone with her medals. She had won three gold medals at the National Masters Athletics Championships that was held earlier in Chennai. By virtue of winning three gold medals, the 94-year-old qualified to represent India at the World Masters Athletics Championships 2022 in Finland. Prior to winning medals at the national masters, Devi had won three gold medals at the Delhi State Athletics Championship in a 100m race, shot put, and javelin throw.
With the 94-year-old scripting history, many came forward to acknowledge her achievement and congratulate her as well. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports took to Twitter to congratulate Bhagwani Devi for her accomplishment. They wrote that the effort was commendable, noting that age is no bar.
“India's 94-year-old #BhagwaniDevi Ji has yet again proved that age is no bar! She won a GOLD medal at the #WorldMastersAthleticsChampionships in Tampere in the 100m sprint event with a timing of 24.74 seconds.?She also bagged a BRONZE in Shot put. Truly commendable effort!” tweeted the Department of Sports and MYAS.
A few others also lauded ‘Sprinter Dadi’ and called her an inspiration. Check out other reactions as well: