Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships underway in South Korea

The 2026 Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships (WMAC) are underway in Daegu, South Korea, featuring athletes aged 35 and older. Amid heatwave warnings in the region, the event has highlighted both remarkable individual achievements and organizational challenges.

Kim Myung-rak, the oldest South Korean participant at age 90, completed the men's 100m semifinals for the 90+ age group with a time of 44.83 seconds. A former track athlete and retired police officer, Kim emphasized that his goal was to finish the race safely rather than focus on ranking. His daughter, also a participant, joined him to support his athletic endeavors.

Other notable performances include Shin Haeng-cheol, who took first place in the 10km run with a time of 41:49. However, the event has faced scrutiny following reports that Olympic gold medalist and tournament ambassador Hwang Young-cho disappeared from the course during the 10km race, only to be seen later in a nearby residential area. Additionally, some participants reported issues with the registration process, leading to delays and confusion.