At 97 Years Old, This Gymnast Is Still Breaking Records and Leaping to New Heights

Johanna Quaas, a German gymnast and mother of three, has inspired the world with her viral routines that prove there’s no age limit to what we can accomplish. She was recognized as the world’s oldest gymnast by the Guinness World Records when she was 86 years old in 2012, and she’s still going strong today at 97.  

Born in 1925, Quaas began competing in gymnastics when she was nine and carried her talents into her senior years. She took home the German Seniors gymnastics title for 11 years in a row, from 2000 when she was 75 to 2011 when she was 86.

Watching her perform is sure to be awe-inspiring for people of any generation. Quaas credits her abilities to her healthy diet, eating in moderation, and getting plenty of exercise, which includes practicing gymnastics three or four days per week.

She also keeps an upbeat, positive attitude and proudly says to anyone, “My heart is young.”

We encourage you to watch the video of Quaas showing off her impressive skills in the video below and you can read more about her story here.

Question from the Editor: Are there any other senior athletes that have inspired you?