Old is in the mind: 83-year-old T100 participant wants to keep competing

SINGAPORE – Kogi Oberoi, 83, leads an active lifestyle of someone decades younger, with his love for fitness, cycling and running propelling him to compete in multiple sports events in the last seven years.

Since relocating from London to Singapore in 2015, he has participated in MetaSport events, as well as the inaugural PTO Asian Open in 2023 and T100 race in 2024, finishing on the podium in his age category for the duathlon both times.

The Briton said: “When I came to Singapore, I started to look at what I should do, because I had retired about 10 years before that.

“I volunteered for sporting organisations like MetaSport. And then I thought, ‘okay, why not compete?’ So I entered the very first run about seven years ago and got onto the podium. I said, ‘great, I have to carry on’.”

Born in Kenya in 1942, the octogenarian moved to India for his university studies, where he was captain of the gymnastics team.

He relocated to England and worked as an engineer for several decades. The avid cyclist and runner also participated in the London Marathon in 1990.

Oberoi then followed his son when the latter moved to Singapore, relocating here with his late wife in 2015.

That also kicked off his fitness journey here and after competing in races and winning medals, he was hooked.

His enjoyment also comes from his interactions with other participants, as he fondly recalls his experience at a recent MetaSport run.

A staff had recognised him at the starting line and asked how old he was, and “the consequence of that was that most of those people who were in that pen (heard Oberoi’s age)”.

“And when they passed me, they would encourage me and cheer me on,” he added.

At 83, Oberoi will be the oldest participant at the T100 event at the Marina Bay from April 5 to 6, when he competes in the standard duathlon (4km run, 32km bike, 6km run) on the second day.

Organisers are expecting close to 7,000 participants for the triathlon, duathlons and music run over the weekend.

“The first year was very difficult for me and the second run was challenging,” said Oberoi.

“Basically, I ran out of energy because I was working on the same regimen as I had always done with my carbohydrate intake and food intake with no supplements, and at my age, that was not enough. (Although) I finished and got onto the podium, I set myself the challenge of doing it again to see if I can survive better.”

On his targets for the 2025 edition, Oberoi added: “My target is to finish and then to be as close to what I’ve managed before (3hr 44min 29sec), that’ll be a big bonus.

“Getting onto the podium is obviously a boost, but there’ll come a day when younger people will beat me. I just set my target to what my body is capable of doing, if (I take) more time, so be it.

“And the bonus is that strangers then come to me and want to congratulate me and shake my hand and have a photo taken. That’s a bonus. That’s satisfying. So at least I’m making some impression on some.”

Oberoi, who lives with his son, says the support from his family has spurred him to continue competing.

He said: “Last year, my granddaughter volunteered as a course marshal. She brought a ton of school kids with her (and cheered me on), saying ‘granddad go!’”

The grandfather of three also wants to encourage others to try the sport. He added: “Start with fairly low ambitions, but be determined to fulfil those ambitions.

“If you can set yourself manageable targets, you will achieve them. And once you’ve achieved them, that’ll spur you on... I think old is in the mind.

“And as long as I’m capable, I have no plans to not do the T100. I’m quite happy to walk the last two kilometres if I have to, to finish it.”