Driven by passion & sharpened by technology, 75-year-old Kurian is making waves

BETTER late than never! Technology has not been kind to the elderly, but then there are those among this demographic who have overcome feelings of dread and insufficiency to make it work for them.

- MANISHA V C S @Kochi

Take the case of 75-year-old Kurian Jacob, a late bloomer who views the achievements in his 'sunset years' as worth the wait. An ace swimmer, he bagged nine medals—including two individual gold—at the World Masters Games held in Taipei, Taiwan last month.

Born in Thidanadu, Kanjirapally, Kurian never cared to take up swimming—something that he was first exposed to as an infant in the river next to his house—as a sport until later in life. "The activity remained an integral part of my life. But I never thought of turning professional, until my retirement," he says.