A 102-year-old Japanese citizen, Kokichi Akuzawa, climbed the 3,776-meter-high Mount Fuji, becoming the oldest person in history to reach the summit and entering the Guinness World Records, reports Pravilamag.
The ascent lasted three days, with Akuzawa spending two nights in mountain huts. The weather worked in his favor: despite cool winds, not a single cloud appeared in the sky during the entire climb. He was accompanied on the journey by several people, including his 70-year-old daughter, Moto.
Upon reaching the summit, Akuzawa admitted that the achievement was “not easy.” “I am amazed that I made it to the top. Without help, I couldn’t have done it. I am very happy now,” he said. When asked if he would climb Mount Fuji again, he replied, “Never,” but jokingly added, “If you ask me next year, maybe I’ll feel differently.”
Before the climb, he had to spend several months recovering his health: in January, he fell while hiking near his home, later suffered from shingles, and was also diagnosed with heart failure.
Akuzawa had previously climbed Mount Fuji, the last time being at the age of 96. He is the honorary head of a local mountaineering club and continues to go hiking almost every week.
