A 102-year-old Japanese man earned major bragging rights, as he officially became the oldest person to climb Mount Fuji.
I was really tempted to give up halfway through,” Kokichi Akuzawa told The Associated Press.Reaching the summit was tough, but my friends encouraged me, and it turned out well. I managed to get through it because so many people supported me,” he added.
Akuzawa completed the trek over the course of a few days in early August, with the Guiness World Book of Records recognizing him as “a record-breaking legend.”
And he did it after fighting back to health from heart failure,” the Guiness World Book of Records noted online.
The AP said Akuzawa was accompanied by his 70-year-old daughter, as well as his granddaughter, her husband, and four friends.
“I’m impressed I climbed so well,” he said, also telling the media outlet “it’s better to climb while you still can.”
Akuzawa, who is the the honorary chairman of the Gunma Mountaineering Club, climbs a mountain on almost a weekly basis, the Guiness World Book of Records said. He has summited Mt. Fuji multiple times, including when he was 96. At that time, he became the oldest person to scale the massive mountain.
The Japan National Tourism Organization said Mt, Fuji stands at 3,776 meters — or 12,388 feet. It is the tallest peak in Japan.
“Mt. Fuji and the surrounding area are a popular recreational destination for hiking, camping and relaxation,” according to the organization.
AloJapan.com