BIOGRAPHY

Kowalski was born in Rogówek, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland (then Russian Empire) on 14 April 1910, at 3 PM. His parents were Władysław Kowalski and Marianna Prasał. He was baptized at the Church of St. Apostles Peter and Paul in Gowarczów. His mother lived to the age of 99. He had been interested in sports since childhood but never had the opportunity to practice them professionally.

In 1937, he married Władysława and went on to have four children (three daughters and one son). After getting married, he moved to the nearby village of Brzeźnica, where he lived until 1952. At that time, due to the expansion of the military training ground, he was forced to leave his newly built house. He resettled in Krzydlina Wielka in Lower Silesia. After 1945, he began working professionally as a farmer. He began working at the Polish State Railways in 1953 at the regional directorate in Wrocław as a track worker. After three years, he was promoted to senior worker, and two years later, he passed the crossing keeper exam. From 1959, he worked in Brzeg Dolny until he earned his pension rights, concluding his railway career at the PKP Road Department in Wrocław on the Wołów Road Section. The train station where he worked was over 10 kilometers away. He cycled there every day, regardless of the weather conditions, making it his primary physical activity.

On 17 May 1979, he moved to Świdnica. Following the passing of his wife around 2004, he began walking a few kilometers every day to visit her grave at the cemetery, being already in his 90s. On his way, he noticed the electric poles along the route. He started counting them and running from pole to pole, checking his watch to see how long it took. His daughter commented that she forbade him from running at the time because of his age, but he did it anyway on his way to the cemetery.

Kowalski began running at the age of 104. On 10 May 2014, he was celebrated as the oldest person in Europe to run 100 meters after completing a race in Wroclaw. He finished in 32.79 seconds, beating the previous record holder, who was 96 at the time, by over a second. At that time, he set a new record for Europe, but he did not surpass the world record in the M100 age division set by Hidekichi Miyazaki at 29.83 seconds in October 2010. However, Miyazaki was 100 years old at the time, whereas Kowalski was 104. After finishing the race, he commented that he “felt like a new man.” He attributed his good condition to never visiting a doctor and always doing what pleased him.

In December 2014, he set a world record in the 60m race with a time of 19.72 seconds in the over 100 age category. This achievement occurred at the First Polish Indoor Team Championships for Veterans held in Toruń. He surpassed the record set by Everett Hosack of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, who ran 60 meters in 27.29 seconds at the 2002 Boston Indoor Nationals. Kowalski also set a world record in shot put with a throw of 5.08 meters in the over 100 age category during the same event in Toruń.

In March 2015, he competed at the European Masters Indoor Championships held in Toruń. He was three weeks shy of his 105th birthday at the time. On that day, Kowalski ran the 60 meters in 20.27 seconds (failing to break his own world record by less than a second), threw the shot put 3.65 meters, and threw the discus 7.14 meters.

When he competed at the Polish Veterans Championships on 28 June 2015, in Toruń, he became the world’s oldest athlete. On that day, Kowalski ran the 100 meters in 34.50 seconds, threw the shot put 4.27 meters (14 feet 0 inches), and threw the discus 7.50 meters (24 feet 7​1⁄4 inches). By participating in these events, he surpassed the achievements of John Whittemore, who competed at the age of 104 years and 10 months. At over 105 years old, his age necessitated the creation of a new age division in World Masters Athletics—the M105 division—in which he was the sole competitor. He retired from sports in March 2016.

When doctors examined him in 2014, they determined his biological age to be 60. He never smoked a cigarette in his life. By the age of 111, he had 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. At the time, he was still striving to stay physically active and remained drawn to outdoor activities. However, the biggest obstacle he faced was the coronavirus pandemic, which limited his ability to engage in his preferred outdoor pursuits. When asked about the secret to his longevity, his daughter attributed it to his cheerful nature and lack of worries. According to his daughter, he didn’t follow any special diet before or during his competitions. His diet was the same as every other household member’s—he ate everything, drank coffee, and occasionally enjoyed vodka on special occasions. At the age of 111, he reportedly had no serious health complications and was not using any medication.

In 2015, he was awarded the Golden Cross of Merit for his efforts in promoting and popularizing sports and a healthy lifestyle. In 2020, he was honored with the title of Ambassador of Good Practices in Sports during the announcement of the ranking of the 50 Most Influential People in Polish Sports 2020.

RECOGNITION

On 20 March 2018, following the passing of 108-year-old Józef Żurek, he became the oldest living man in Poland, at the age of 107 years, 340 days. Upon his passing, he was succeeded by Kazimierz Klimczak (born 15 February 1914).

On 23 February 2020, at the age of 109 years, 315 days, he surpassed the final age of Włodzimierz Rogosz (1880–1990), becoming the oldest man to have ever lived in Poland.

On 18 January 2022, following the passing of 112-year-old Saturnino de la Fuente García, he became the oldest living man in Europe, at the age of 111 years, 279 days. However, he was not the oldest living European-born man, as Italian-born Delio Venturotti of Brazil was older. Upon his passing, he was succeeded by Frenchman André Boite.

At the time of his passing, he was the second-oldest living person in Poland, following Tekla Juniewicz.

His age is currently a pending validation.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Video: Watch 104-year-old pensioner become oldest person in Europe to run 100m race” – Mirror, 12 May 2014

* “Toruń: dwa rekordy świata Kowalskiego” – Polski Związek Lekkiej Atletyki, 13 December 2014

* “Centenarians on fire on both sides of Atlantic: Three M100 records!” – MasterTrack, 17 December 2014

* “All hail Stanislaw Kowalski — oldest track athlete in human history” – MasterTrack, 26 March 2015

* “Najstarszy Polak. 110-letni lekkoatleta z Rogówka” – Konecki24.pl, 7 May 2020

* “Najstarszy lekkoatleta Europy mieszka w Świdnicy” – Nasze Sprawy, 19 April 2021

* “Zmarł Stanisław Kowalski. Za kilka dni skończyłby 112 lat” – Swidnica24.pl, 5 April 2022

* “Zmarł Stanisław Kowalski ze Świdnicy. Był najstarszym mężczyzną w Polsce i aktywnym biegaczem!” – Gazeta Wrocławska, 6 April 2022

* “Stanislaw Kowalski Dies at 111: Oldest Track Star in History, a Hero in Poland” – Times of San Diego, 15 April 2022

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