Breaking World Record, This 102-year-old Grandfather Becomes The Oldest Climber To Conquer Mount Fuji

JAKARTA - Kokichi Akuzawa, a 102-year-old Japanese man, managed to register his name on Guinness World Records after conquering the top of Mount Fuji in early August. This achievement made him the oldest person to ever reach the top of Japan's highest mountain.

Akuzawa admitted that Fuji's climbing struggle this time was not easy. At the age of more than a century, Akuzawa had thought about stopping in the middle of the trip.

"I was really tempted to give up in the middle of the road," he told the Associated Press.

"Achieving the peak is tough, but my friends keep encouraging me. Finally I got it because many people supported me," he continued.

He climbed with his 70-year-old daughter, grandchildren, her grandson's husband, and four friends from the local mountaineering club. Despite his advanced age, Akuzawa's enthusiasm to climb the mountain never faded.

"I climb because I like it. It's easy to meet new friends on the mountain," he said.

As a young man, Akuzawa worked as a machine design engineer, then changed professions as an artificial inseminator for livestock until the age of 85. But for him, mountains have always been a place that brings people together regardless of the background.

"Whether you like studying or not, you can still enjoy mountains. Intelligence is not important there. We all stand equally flat and move forward together," he explained.

I'mzawa admitting that Fuji's climb this time was the hardest compared to his climb a few years ago.

"Gunung Fuji is actually not difficult, but this time it is much heavier than six years ago. It is more difficult than any previous mountain," he said.

"I don't feel sick, but keep asking why I'm so slow, why my stamina is gone. I've crossed my physical limits, and only thanks to the strength of others I can get there," he continued.

When asked if Akuzawa still wanted to climb Fuji again, he just smiled.

"I want to continue climbing forever, but it doesn't seem like I can anymore. Now maybe it's enough for Mount Akagi," he said, referring to the mountain near his house which is about half high from Fuji.

Now Akuzawa's daily life is filled with more teaching to paint at home and volunteer at the center of the elderly every morning. For him, climbing and painting both takes time and dedication, but both give inner peace.

"People who climb mountains, people who paint, if they can create something intact in their path, that's the happiest," said Akuzawa.

The daughters of Akuzawa have now encouraged her to express her experience in painting, especially drawing Mount Fuji at sunrise.

"I have a lot of requests," he said with a laugh with his family.

"I want to paint the scenery from the top of Fuji, the places that have special memories for me, because this is most likely the last time I have reached the top." he continued.