“I was born in Sri Lanka on the 2nd of November, 1938, to a family of ten children. My father was a body builder, known to us as ‘Mr Muscles.”

I was born in Sri Lanka on the 2nd of November, 1938, to a family of ten children. My father was a body builder, known to us as ‘Mr Muscles.’

From 1954 to 1957, I attended the esteemed Military Academy in Malaysia, where I began my athletics career. I focussed on the high jump, shot put and pole vault. At seventeen, I held the record for the pole vault, which still stands to this day.

I went on to study Botany and Zoology at University, then a graduate diploma, adding the hammer throw and javelin. However, running was out of the question. Field events were more sociable than long distance running, allowing me to form a special bond with the other athletes.

I came to Australia in 1963 with my wife and two children, settling in Adelaide. It was a different sort of challenge. I taught general science, biology and educational technology for nineteen years at two different high schools, before moving to the Spastic Centre for the next three years. There, I developed a specialised sporting activity program with chiropracty. I also formed the Kensington Sporting Team soon after.

In 1999, aged sixty-one, I discovered the Masters Games. I have been an active competitor in various athletic events ever since, winning multiple medals in my advancing age range. I represented Sri Lanka and Malaysia in the Asian Games, and Australia in the Oceania Games. In 2009, I was voted Athlete of the Year.

Over the past ten years, I have run a weekly “Fit and Fab” group for seniors at the local council. In 2016, I was advised by my cardiologist to stop all physical activity after five stents and aortic aneurysm surgery. I have recently been given the “all clear.”

At seventy-nine, I am back in training for the Masters Games.

I hope to still be competing at age one hundred!