Mr. Iichi Marumo (born April 1, 1929) of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture in Japan – who left behind a legacy of legendary achievements as the world’s oldest speed skater – passed away on October 10, 2026, at the age of 98. We express our deepest condolences.
Mr. Marumo was a great athlete who truly embodied the spirit of “staying active throughout one’s life,” and we would like to take this opportunity to once again pay tribute to his remarkable journey, which inspired so many people.
The Great Achievements Left Behind by Iichi Marumo
In January 2016, at the age of 86, he competed in the All-Japan Masters Speed Skating Competition, held in Yamanashi. He continued to participate every year since until 2025.
Starting in 2018, he also competed in international Masters competitions, participating in the MSG2018 in Moscow (Russia), the MSG2019 in Leeuwarden (Netherlands), and the MSG2020 in Calgary (Canada).
At the MSG 2018 Moscow, he set a Guinness World Record as the “Oldest competitive speed skater – male.” In 2019, he set an unprecedented world record in the 90-year-old age group; he broke his own Guinness World Record in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and in 2024, he set a world record in the 95-year-old age group. To this day, his name remains etched in the record books as the world record holder for the 500m and 1,000m events.
Alongside his career as an athlete on the ice, he was also a cultural figure who edited and published a tanka poetry magazine. He never wavered in his forward-looking attitude, stating, “I rely on skating to strengthen my legs and lower body; the Guinness records are just milestones along the way.” Through his skating, Mr. Marumo continued to prove to the world that “it’s never too late.” The passion and indomitable spirit he left behind will continue to shine in the hearts of many people for years to come.
We offer our heartfelt condolences.
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