NEW DELHI: Peruvian state officials claim that the Andean mountains could unveil the secret to longevity, with claims emerging of a 124-year-old man born in 1900. If validated, this assertion could identify the world’s oldest individual.
The Peruvian government has claimed that Marcelino Abad, a resident of the central Peruvian region of Huanuco, is 124 years old.If confirmed, this would not only make him the oldest living person by a significant margin but also surpass the age of the oldest independently verified human ever recorded.
“In the serene environment of Huanuco’s flora and fauna, Marcelino Abad Tolentino, also known as ‘Mashico,’ cultivated a lifestyle of wellness and inner tranquility, evident in his robust health and amiable demeanor,” said the government in a release.
“With resilience and adeptness, he has navigated through twelve decades of life, and on April 5th, he celebrated his 124th birthday by blowing out candles,” the statement continued.
Peruvian authorities have announced their assistance to Abad in applying to the Guinness World Records for independent verification.
“We receive numerous applications from individuals claiming to be the oldest living person,” a spokesperson for Guiness World Records said in a written statement to Reuters.
The Guinness World Records recognises a 111-year-old Briton as the oldest living man, who assumed the title earlier this month following the passing of a Venezuelan man aged 114. The oldest living woman is 117 years old, while the oldest individual ever verified reached the age of 122.
Born in the small town of Chaglla, Abad had lived off the radar until 2019 when the Peruvian government identified him, providing him with a government ID and pension.
Celebrating his 124th birthday on April 5, Abad attributes his vitality to a diet abundant in fruits and lamb meat, as stated by the pension program he is enrolled in.
The centenarian also adopted the habit of chewing coca leaves, a tradition commonly practiced in Peru‘s Andean communities.
Abad currently resides in a senior home, where he recently enjoyed a special birthday celebration, marking his remarkable milestone. The festivities included a birthday cake adorned with a figurine resembling him.
(With inputs from agencies)
The Peruvian government has claimed that Marcelino Abad, a resident of the central Peruvian region of Huanuco, is 124 years old.If confirmed, this would not only make him the oldest living person by a significant margin but also surpass the age of the oldest independently verified human ever recorded.
“In the serene environment of Huanuco’s flora and fauna, Marcelino Abad Tolentino, also known as ‘Mashico,’ cultivated a lifestyle of wellness and inner tranquility, evident in his robust health and amiable demeanor,” said the government in a release.
“With resilience and adeptness, he has navigated through twelve decades of life, and on April 5th, he celebrated his 124th birthday by blowing out candles,” the statement continued.
Peruvian authorities have announced their assistance to Abad in applying to the Guinness World Records for independent verification.
“We receive numerous applications from individuals claiming to be the oldest living person,” a spokesperson for Guiness World Records said in a written statement to Reuters.
The Guinness World Records recognises a 111-year-old Briton as the oldest living man, who assumed the title earlier this month following the passing of a Venezuelan man aged 114. The oldest living woman is 117 years old, while the oldest individual ever verified reached the age of 122.
Born in the small town of Chaglla, Abad had lived off the radar until 2019 when the Peruvian government identified him, providing him with a government ID and pension.
Celebrating his 124th birthday on April 5, Abad attributes his vitality to a diet abundant in fruits and lamb meat, as stated by the pension program he is enrolled in.
The centenarian also adopted the habit of chewing coca leaves, a tradition commonly practiced in Peru‘s Andean communities.
Abad currently resides in a senior home, where he recently enjoyed a special birthday celebration, marking his remarkable milestone. The festivities included a birthday cake adorned with a figurine resembling him.
(With inputs from agencies)