World's oldest woman dies, leaving behind secret to longevity

Tomiko Itooka, the world's oldest person, has died at the age of 116. The title now belongs to Inah Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun who is just 16 days younger than Itooka.

The old lady on August 23, 2024. Photo: RT/LongeviQuest

On January 4, the government of Ashiya city, Hyogo prefecture, western Japan, announced that Mrs. Tomiko Itooka, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest person, had just passed away in this city at the age of 116.

According to local officials, Mr. Itooka passed away at a nursing home in Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan on the night of December 29, 2023.

Itooka, born on May 23, 1908 in Osaka, Japan, lived through two world wars and witnessed more than a century of history.

As a young woman, Itooka was an avid high school volleyball player and later managed her husband's textile business during World War II.

After being widowed in 1979, Itooka lived independently in Nara Prefecture and engaged in mountain climbing activities.

At the age of 70, Mr. Itooka still climbs mountains regularly and surprised many people when he conquered Mount Ontake, 3,067 m high in Japan, twice, using only regular sneakers.

At the age of 80, Mr. Itooka participated in the Osaka 33 Kannon pilgrimage (pilgrimage to 33 temples) twice.

At the age of 100, Itooka can still climb the long stone steps of Ashiya Shrine without a cane.

Itooka will be officially recognized as the world's oldest person in August 2024 by Guinness World Records, after Maria Branyas Morera, 117, passes away in Spain.

When informed that he topped the list of the world's oldest people, Itooka simply replied: "Thank you."

Itooka revealed that the secret to his longevity lies in a diet rich in bananas and Calpis, a yogurt-flavored drink popular in Japan.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/cu-ba-cao-tuoi-nhat-the-gioi-qua-doi-de-lai-bi-quyet-truong-tho-172250105161745851.htm