102-Year-Old Climbs Mount Fuji, Sets World Record Again

A remarkable achievement has been reached as Kokichi Akuzawa, a 102-year-old man from Japan, set the Guinness World Record for the oldest individual to successfully climb Mount Fuji for the second time. Akuzawa reached the summit of the iconic 3,776-meter peak on August 5, 2023, accompanied by his 70-year-old daughter, her husband, and several friends.

Climbing Mount Fuji, known for its steep and scenic routes, proved to be a challenging journey for Akuzawa. He shared his experience with the Associated Press, stating, “I was really tempted to give up halfway through. Reaching the summit was tough, but my friends encouraged me, and it turned out well.” Akuzawa, who undertook this climb over three days, expressed gratitude for the support he received during the trek.

To prepare for this ambitious goal, Akuzawa dedicated three months to training. His regimen included waking up at 5 a.m. for hours-long walks and practicing on smaller mountains in his home region of Nagano prefecture. This determination is particularly impressive considering Akuzawa previously set the record for the oldest climber of Mount Fuji at the age of 96. He faced significant health challenges, including bouts of shingles and heart issues, before conquering the mountain again.

Reflecting on the recent climb, Akuzawa remarked, “Mount Fuji isn’t a difficult mountain, but this time was harder than six years ago. Harder than any mountain before.” He candidly acknowledged feeling weaker during the ascent, stating, “I kept wondering why I was so slow, why I had no stamina. I’d long since passed my physical limit.” Despite the hurdles, he credited the strength of others for his success.

Though he has now secured his place as a two-time world record holder, Akuzawa emphasized that his motivation for climbing extends beyond personal glory. “I climb because I like it,” he stated. He finds joy in the camaraderie formed on the mountain, saying, “It’s easy to make friends on the mountain.”

Akuzawa’s life is marked by diverse passions. He began his career as an engine design engineer before transitioning to work as a livestock artificial inseminator until the age of 85. He noted, “Whether you liked studying or not, you could enjoy the mountain the same. Intelligence didn’t matter up there. We were all on equal footing and moved forward together.”

Looking ahead, Akuzawa acknowledged the limits of his climbing ambitions. “I’d love to keep climbing forever, but I guess I can’t anymore,” he said. The physicality of the climb, especially at his age, poses significant risks. Mount Fuji is known to be treacherous, even for climbers much younger than Akuzawa.

In recent months, the mountain has seen its share of challenges. In April, a climber from China required assistance twice within a week after returning to retrieve a lost cell phone. Such incidents underscore the risks involved in climbing this famed peak, which ranks as the 35th highest mountain in the world.

Kokichi Akuzawa’s extraordinary climb serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that age is not a barrier to pursuing one’s passions and achieving remarkable feats.