BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Reporter Liu Xingchen) When a person wholeheartedly pursues what he loves, age will never be a stumbling block.
The 2024 World Swimming Championships in Doha are underway. During this period, a centenarian attracted the attention of the world.
Get ready to jump, jump into the pool, and make a splash ......At the age of 100, Taghi Asgari from Iran has accomplished something almost impossible.
For him, age is just an inconspicuous number.
Screenshot of FINA **.
Also in this World Championships, Chinese player Pan Zhanle swam 46.80 seconds in the competition, breaking the men's 100-meter freestyle world record. Born in 2004, he is not yet 20 years old. On the stage of the World Championships, there are countless young people who have achieved such successes.
And on the other side of time, Taji Asgari is also writing his own legend in his own way.
After dedicating a one-meter platform diving to a world audience, the centenarian received the gold medal from the FINA president.
Looking at this "supreme honor" worn on his chest, Taji Asgari couldn't hide his tears and applauded emotionally. This applause is a gift from him to himself.
Screenshot of FINA **.
The album of time keeps flipping, recording the old man's obsessive love for diving.
Seventy-three years ago, in New Delhi, India, the first Asian Games in history were held here. In the competition, Taji Asgari won one silver and one bronze.
When I competed in the New Delhi Games in 1951, Iran was diving at a very high level and I won two medals. Taji Asgari recalled.
In FINA records, that competition was the starting point for Taji Asghari's entry into the international arena.
By the time of the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, Chinese athletes had joined the diving program. They were improving so fast that we couldn't catch up. Talking about Chinese diving, Taji Asgari said.
During his career, Taji Asgari suffered a brief blindness in his eyes due to a movement error. But just a week later, he returned to action and won the gold medal.
Screenshot of FINA **.
As the first athlete to perform a stand-up somersault dive, Taji Asghari opened up new possibilities for the sport. It wasn't until he was 41 years old that he chose to say goodbye to the ring.
At that time, he would not have imagined that more than half a century later, when he entered the age of 100, he would still be able to complete a wonderful jump by the pool.
When asked about the secret of diving for nearly a century, the old man's answer was succinct: "Only love." From my teenage years until now, I have always loved diving and it has never changed. ”
For the younger players, Taji Asghari advises: "The only thing I want to tell you is that I love the sport. Participating in it keeps me healthy. This can be a good motivation for you to participate in tournaments. (ENDS).