A 102-year-old man from Japan has made history by becoming the oldest person ever to climb Mount Fuji, even though he brushed off the achievement as if it were nothing remarkable.
The man, Kokichi Akuzawa, was born in 1923. Despite suffering from a serious heart condition, he reached the top of Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain. He trained for the climb by hiking smaller mountains nearly every week. His remarkable accomplishment, which took place in early August, has now been officially recognized by Guinness World Records.
When asked about the climb, Akuzawa spoke very modestly. I am six years older than when I last climbed Mount Fuji, he said, remembering his previous climb at the age of 96. “I’ve already been to the top many times and enjoyed the view before. It wasn’t anything special. I reached the summit last time, too.”
Akuzawa is not only a passionate hiker but also a retired livestock farmer from the Gunma region in central Japan. Even at his age, he stays active by volunteering at an elderly care center and teaching painting.
However, his journey to climb Mount Fuji this year was not easy. Back in January, he stumbled while walking on a mountain near his home. Soon after, he developed shingles and was hospitalized with heart failure. His health troubles made his family very concerned, and they worried about his decision to attempt such a dangerous climb. But Akuzawa remained determined. His daughter, Yukiko, who is 75 years old, said, His recovery was so fast that even his doctors couldn’t believe it.
To prepare himself again, Akuzawa started waking up early every morning to go on long walks that lasted about an hour. On top of that, he continued hiking up mountains almost every week. This regular training helped him regain strength and endurance.
When it came time for the Mount Fuji climb, Akuzawa took things slowly. He divided the hike into three days, staying overnight in huts along the way. Even with this careful approach, the high altitude almost forced him to turn back. But with the encouragement and support of his companions, including his granddaughter, who works as a nurse, he managed to push forward and reach the top.
After achieving the world record, Akuzawa was asked if he wanted to climb Mount Fuji again. His answer was firm and simple: “No.”
