Sprint records he set at advanced age still stand

Star-Bulletin staff
sports@starbulletin.com

Erwin Jaskulski, who gained notoriety late in life as a 100-year-old world sprinting champion, died Friday. He was 103.

An Austrian, Jaskulski came to Hawaii in 1954 and worked as a controller at KHON-TV. But the lifelong fitness aficionado would go on to set world records in the 100, 200 and 400 meters in both the 95-99-year-old and 100-and-up age divisions. Three of his records still stand.

Jaskulski would often train by doing chin-ups, and running the hallway of his apartment building. Though failing eyesight took him off the track and out of official competition, Jaskulski still did his home workouts up until a couple of months ago, friend Gilad Janklowicz said.

Jaskulski was known for his fitness discipline, his eccentric eating habits and his love of classical music, which friends could hear blaring in the background when they called him on the phone. A private man, Jaskulski declined when NBC offered to fly him first-class for an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

"I've outlived my vanity," he said.

He had two sons and other family in Austria. Services and a memorial celebration are being planned for early May, Janklowicz said.