VISAKHAPATNAM: Age is just a number for Vallabhajosyula Sriramulu, a 101-year-old war veteran from Visakhapatnam who has won three gold medals at the World Masters Athletics Championship held in Gothenburg, Sweden. Competing in the 100-year category, Sriramulu secured first place in the javelin throw, discus throw, and shot put. This remarkable achievement took place during the championship, which hosted around 8,000 athletes from 110 countries from August 13 to August 25.
Sriramulu, a former sailor on aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and a specialist in navigation and radar wings, won three of India’s four gold medals at this year’s championship. India won the fourth gold medal in the 4x100m relay in the men’s 85 years category. The Indian team, with 140 athletes, took part in the championship.
Born in Machilipatnam on July 18, 1923, Sriramulu began his career by joining the Royal Indian Navy in March 1944 during the World War II. He later served as a navigation officer and continued his service for an additional four years post-retirement in 1976. His career also included a stint with the Dredging Corporation of India, after which he settled in Visakhapatnam.
This is not Sriramulu’s first success on the global stage. In the previous editions of the World Masters Athletics Championship, Sriramulu has consistently proven his mettle.
Sriramulu wins nearly 100 medals in athletics
In 2016, he won three gold medals in the 5 km, 10 km, and 20 km race walk events in the 90-95 age group in Perth, Australia. He also secured a silver medal in the 10 km race walk at the 2018 World Masters Athletics Championship in Malaga, Spain. Over the years, Cdr. Sriramulu has secured nearly 100 medals in national and international athletic competitions, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the sports community.
Beyond his achievements in athletics, Sriramulu has lived through significant moments in Indian history, including the hoisting of the Tricolour by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the Red Fort on August 15, 1947. He has also taken part in major military conflicts such as World War II, the 1962 Sino-Indian War, and the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971.
Sriramulu’s adventurous spirit remains undiminished by age as he has also successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and made two trips to the Everest Base Camp and the Pindari Glacier.
Upon his return to Visakhapatnam, Sriramulu was warmly welcomed at the airport by DS Varma, Vice-President of the Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association.
Age is just a number
In 2016, he won three gold medals in race walk events. Sriramulu has also climbed Mt Kilimanjaro and made two trips to the Everest Base Camp and the Pindari Glacier