'I just keep getting up and I'm here again': 103-year-old Julia 'Hurricane' Hawkins wins gold in 100-meter race again
To some, age is just a number but to 103-year-old athlete Julia Hawkins, it is an opportunity. Hawkins, who is nicknamed "Hurricane" thanks to her prolific record-setting 100-meter dash two years ago, has won gold again at the 2019 Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Hawkins won gold in both the 50-meter dash and the 100-meter dash in the women’s 100-plus division. "I'm thrilled I did as well as I did but I didn't do as well as I have done," Hawkins told Good Morning America. "I don't know if it's because I'm older, or maybe it was the atmosphere."
"Hurricane" Hawkins had set the world record at the 2017 games and was comparatively a little slower this time around. The mother-of-four, grandma, and great-grandma-of-three from Louisiana is the oldest woman to compete in the country's tracks, the National Senior Games Association, which heads the Senior Games, said.
She took to running once she turned 100 after biking became a challenge for her. Speaking of her incredible fitness she said that she doesn't do any workout in particular but takes care of her diet.
"Realize you can still be doing it at this kind of age. I just keep busy. I keep moving. I don’t do any exercises particularly. I used to, but I don't think I need to anymore," she said. "I've always been careful how I eat, eat healthy and keep my weight at a certain point," she added. She also said that gardening helps her stay fit.
As for all her gold medals, they adorn her home. "[I keep them] here and there. I’ve got a good many," she said adding, "My husband made a box for me to keep them." She hopes to compete in another race soon. "You never know. When you're 103, every day is a miracle," she said. "I just keep getting up and I'm here again," Hawkins said.
She added, "I'm glad I won two gold medals," she said adding, "It’s awe-inspiring to me to be able to do this."