Six silver-haired citizens with an incredible lust for life

Otto Thaning, a 73-year-old South African who has become the oldest person to swim the English Channel, said he wanted to show what older people are capable of.

Here are some other record-breaking senior citizens who have also demonstrated that age is just a number...

1. The wing walker

Tom Lackey, 94, took to the skies last summer to break his own world record for being the oldest wing walker. Mr Lackey flew over the Irish Sea strapped to the top of a vintage Boeing Stearman biplane.

2. The Ironman competitor

Sister Madonna Buder, dubbed the “Iron Nun”, regularly participates in the Ironman Triathlon, considered one of the toughest one-day sporting events in the world. At 82, she’s still going strong.

3. The graduate

Allan Stewart became the world’s oldest graduate in 2012. The Australian received his master’s degree in clinical science from Southern Cross University aged 97.

4. The mountain climber

Yuichiro Miura, an extreme skier from Japan, became the oldest climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest last year aged 80; it was the third time he achieved the feat.

5. The long-distance runner

The world’s oldest marathon runner, Fauja Singh, from Ilford, east London, finally hung up his running shoes last year aged 101 after completing the London marathon in 2012.

6. The recording artist

Dame Vera Lynn made chart history this year when she became the oldest living recording artist to reach the top 20. The 97-year-old entered the UK’s Official Albums Chart at Number 13 in June.

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