Japan’s 102-year-old with heart condition becomes oldest to climb Mount Fuji | More sports News
A 102-year-old Japanese man, Kokichi Akuzawa, has become the oldest person to climb Mount Fuji despite having a serious heart condition, as certified by Guinness World Records in August 2025. He achieved this feat after training by climbing mountains almost weekly, although he modestly dismissed the accomplishment.The retired livestock farmer from Gunma region completed his ascent of Japan’s highest peak, which stands at 3,776 meters, in early August.“I am six years older than the last time I climbed,” Akuzawa told AFP. “I have been there and seen the view many times, it wasn’t anything special. I reached the summit last time too.”Akuzawa’s journey to the summit faced several challenges. He had earlier tripped while mountain walking in January, developed shingles, and was hospitalised with heart failure.“The recovery was so fast that his doctors could not believe it,” said his daughter Yukiko, 75.To prepare for the climb, Akuzawa maintained a rigorous training schedule, including daily hour-long morning walks and weekly mountain hikes.The centenarian, who volunteers at an elderly care centre and teaches painting, completed the Mount Fuji climb over three days with two overnight stays in mountain huts.Despite struggling with the high altitude, he persevered to reach the summit with support from his travel companions, including his granddaughter who is a nurse.When asked about future plans to climb Mount Fuji again, Akuzawa responded with a definitive “no.”The achievement is particularly notable as Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak and an active volcano, presents significant challenges even for younger climbers.His earlier ascent of Mount Fuji was at age 96, making this second successful climb even more remarkable.
