Kiwi Indian seniors score big at Taranaki Master Games 2020

Kiwi Indian seniors are setting a new precedent for the younger generation here in New Zealand by bagging over a score of gold, silver and bronze medals at the Taranaki Master Games held in New Plymouth last weekend.

Of a number Kiwi Indian seniors who participated in different categories of the event from Auckland, The Indian Weekender were able to get in touch with six athletes of the age 60 and above who brought home a total of 31 medals from the tournament.

Jagjit Singh Kathuria

83-year-old Jagjit Singh Kathuria participated in the 80-84 year age category and won seven gold and one bronze medal. He won Gold in Long Jump, 5KM Walk, 3KM Walk, 100 and 200-metre race, Javelin Throw, and Shot Put and a bronze in Discus Throw.

Tapendra Singh

66-year-old Tapendra Singh bagged six gold and one silver medal in the 65-69 age category. He won the gold medals in Weight Lifting, Javelin Throw, Shot Put, Hammer, Discus Throw and Long Jump and silver medal in the 100-metre race.

79-year-old Balbir Singh Basra won four gold medals in the age category 75-79, in the games Half Marathon Run, 200 metres sprint, 3 km run and 3 km Walk.

Balbir Singh Basra

Amritpal Gill won a total of six medals, three gold and three silver in the age category of 65-69. He won Gold in 10 km Walk, 5 km Run, and 3 km Run, and silver in 3 km Walk, Javelin Throw and 200 metres sprint.

63-year-old Ajmer Singh Jorah won five medals, three gold and two silver in the age category of 60-64. In 5 km Walk, 3 km Walk and Long Jump, he won Gold, and two silver in 100 and 200 metres sprints.

Sardar Amarjeet Singh won one gold in 5 km Walk and silver in 3 km Walk.

Kiwi Indian seniors at the Taranaki Master Games

A dairy shop owner from Mt Wellington Auckland, Tapendra Singh is known as one of the fittest senior citizens who won four bronze medals at the 31st New Zealand Master Games in Dunedin earlier this year.

83-year-old Jagjit Singh Kathuria from Papatoetoe also won two silver medals at the Oceania Master Athletic Championship held in Australia last year and says he is inspired by 103-year-old world-renowned athlete Mann Kaur who has won multiple medals in world level Master Games and athletic championships.

Mr Kathuria says he keeps himself fit by having healthy food and following a healthy diet, daily walks, runs and exercises. He adds that the only thing missing from his regular practice sessions is javelin throw and long jump as there are no such grounds to practice them.