While chatting with my friend from Texas this morning, he shared a very inspiring story with me. It was about a 103-year-old Japanese person who climbed Mt. Fuji.

He was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest person to climb mount Fuji (male). Since Mt Fuji is about 3,776 meter height, it's not easy to climb even for young people. I've never climbed it myself, but I can image how tough it must have been for someone at the age of 103.

According to a Japanese article, he goes hiking every week. At the age of 99, he challenged Mt. Nabewari (1,272 m) in Kanagawa Prefecture. After that, he wanted to attempt something nobody had ever done before. It was to climb Mt. Fuji at his age. Since then, he trained hard and prepared for his new challenge.

He tried with his family and people who support him. The first day and the second day weren't so difficult for him, but on the third day, gradually he started being tired. When the group arrived at the 9th station, he almost gave up on climbing. Everybody knew how much effort he had put into training for this climb. In fact he had fallen on January and been taken to a hospital by ambulance. After that he suffered from shingles and even heart failure. Because of that, nobody could felt they could push him to continue, but his 70-year-old daughter did. She told him, "We may not reach the top, but let's keep moving forward one step at a time." He was driven by her words, and finally achieved his goal.

When I read his article, I though of my dad, who is 10 years younger than him. My dad is still a good walker, but I don't think he could do something like this.

I love hearing inspiring stories like this because these people encourage me. I always think, "If they can do it, there is no reason I can't." I'd love to keep challenging to achieve my goals!

If you are curious about this amazing guy, you can see some photos here.

(4987)