Kokichi Akuzawa, a 102-year-old man from Japan, has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest person to reach the summit of Mount Fuji, completing the climb on Aug. 5 for the second time.
Akuzawa, born in 1923, reached the 12,388-foot peak after a three-day ascent accompanied by his 70-year-old daughter, her husband and friends. He told the Associated Press that he was tempted to give up halfway through but persevered with the encouragement of those around him. "I'm impressed I climbed so well," Akuzawa said.
The climb followed three months of preparation in which Akuzawa rose at 5 a.m. for hours-long walks and practiced on smaller mountains in Nagano prefecture. The party chose a scenic and steep route, and friends and family supported the centenarian throughout the multi-day journey.
Akuzawa had previously set the record for the oldest person to summit Mount Fuji at age 96. He has faced health challenges in recent years, including a bout of shingles, heart issues and a prior climbing fall, but continued training and planning led to this latest ascent.
Local and international attention has focused on the physical and logistical demands of climbing Japan's highest peak. Mount Fuji stands as a popular but demanding climb, and even established hikers cite thin air, steep paths and variable weather as obstacles. Akuzawa's party paced the ascent over several days to manage those risks and to accommodate the centenarian's condition.
Friends who accompanied Akuzawa assisted throughout the climb, encouraging him when the route became difficult. He said the support from his party helped him reach the summit after moments of doubt. The pilgrimage-style climb reflects a tradition for many Japanese hikers who make seasonal ascents to the mountain, which is a cultural as well as natural landmark.
Guinness World Records recognized the achievement after documentation of the climb. Akuzawa's second record has drawn attention to the increasing number of centenarians engaging in sustained physical activity and has prompted discussions about training, support and safety for older climbers.
Akuzawa's accomplishment adds to a list of notable elderly athletic achievements in recent years and highlights individual determination and the role of family and community support in undertaking challenging endeavors at advanced ages.
