Philip Rabinowitz (runner)
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| Philip Rabinowitz | |
| Born | February 16, 1904 Lithuania |
|---|---|
| Died | February 28, 2008 (aged 104) Cape Town, South Africa |
| Occupation | Bookkeeper |
Philip "Flying Phil" Rabinowitz (February 16, 1904 – February 28, 2008) was a sprinter from South Africa who, on July 10, 2004, entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest 100-year-old to ever run the 100 meters.
Rabinowitz finished in a time of 30.86 seconds; breaking the previous mark of 36.19 set by Erwin Jaskulski of Austria. A week before, the centenarian broke the record, but a faulty electronic timer kept the mark out of the books.
Rabinowitz worked as a bookkeeper for his daughter and tried to walk at least four miles (six kilometers) a day. He left Lithuania for South Africa at the age of 21 and lived in Hout Bay of Cape Town, South Africa at the time of his death.
For comparison, the world record for the men's 100 meters —9.74 seconds— was set by Asafa Powell of Jamaica at the age of 24.
[edit] References
- Philip Rabinowitz is Officially the World’s Fastest Centenarian
- Obituary
- "Legendary runner Flying Phil dead at 104"
- "Flying Phil dies at age 104"
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