Stanisław Kowalski facts for kids
_(cropped).jpg)
Kowalski at age 105 in 2015
|
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 April 1910 Rogówek, Congress Poland, Russian Empire |
| Died | 5 April 2022 (aged 111 years, 356 days) Świdnica, Poland |
| Occupation | Masters Athlete (M105 age division) |
| Sport | |
| Country |  Poland |
| Sport |
|
| Event(s) | Polish Veterans Championships in Toruń, 28 June 2015 |
Stanisław Kowalski (born April 14, 1910 – died April 5, 2022) was an amazing Polish athlete. He was a supercentenarian, meaning he lived to be over 110 years old. At 105, he became the oldest person to compete in track and field events. He ran, threw the shot put, and threw the discus. He was so old that a new age group, M105, had to be made just for him!
Contents
Early Life and Home
Stanisław Kowalski was born on April 14, 1910. His birthplace was a village called Rogówek in what was then part of the Russian Empire. He lived there until the late 1930s.
After he got married, he moved to another village, Brzeźnica. In 1952, he had to move again because a military training area expanded. He then settled in Krzydlina Wielka in Lower Silesian Voivodeship. There, he managed a small farm and worked on the railroad. From 1979 until he passed away, he lived in Świdnica. Interestingly, his mother lived to be 99 years old. For many years, Stanisław rode his bicycle to work every day, no matter the weather.
Becoming a Masters Athlete
On June 28, 2015, Stanisław Kowalski competed in the Polish Veterans Championships. This event took place in Toruń, Poland. At 105 years old, he became the oldest athlete in the world to compete.
Kowalski's Amazing Feats
On that special day, Kowalski ran the 100 metres race in 34.50 seconds. He also threw the shot put 4.27 meters. And he threw the discus throw 7.50 meters. These were incredible achievements for someone his age!
He broke the record set by American athlete John Whittemore. John had competed when he was 104 years and 10 months old. Because Stanisław was over 105, a brand new age group was created for him. This group is called the M105 division (for men aged 105-109). He was the first and only person in this group for a while. This means all his performances were world records!
Later, another amazing athlete, Hidekichi Miyazaki from Japan, joined the M105 division. Miyazaki turned 105 on September 22, 2015. He competed two days later, becoming the second person in the M105 group. Stanisław Kowalski was 77 days older than Miyazaki when he competed.
Secrets to a Long and Active Life
When he was 104, Kowalski was already famous in Europe. He ran a 100-meter race in Wrocław, Poland, on May 10, 2014. He finished in 32.79 seconds. This beat the previous record for his age group.
Stanisław believed his long life was due to a few simple things. He said he never went to the doctor. He also said he did whatever he wanted to do. Another tip he shared was not to eat too much in the evening.
Living a Long Life
On April 14, 2010, Stanisław Kowalski celebrated his 100th birthday. This made him a centenarian. After Józef Żurek passed away in 2018, Stanisław became the oldest living man in Poland.
On April 14, 2020, he turned 110 years old. This made him a supercentenarian. Stanisław Kowalski passed away on April 5, 2022. He was just nine days shy of his 112th birthday.
More to Explore
- List of centenarian masters track and field athletes
