Meet our oldest record holders who prove age is just a number with their incredible feats

Should adventure and excitement have an age limit? All over the world, there are seniors in their 80s, 90s and even beyond who are proving each day that courage and curiosity should never have an expiration date.

From gymnastic grannies to the oldest wing walkers, these senior record breakers are showcasing a new age of hobbies in their golden years. 

Flipping into the record books: World’s oldest gymnast encourages individuals to find their sport at any age  

On 12 April 2012, Johanna Quass (Germany) was awarded the Guinness World Records title for oldest gymnast (female). At the age of 86, Johanna was competing at a championship event when a crowd member recorded her routine and uploaded it to YouTube where it gained over a million views.

This resulted in her being invited to perform on our Italian TV show Lo Show dei Record in Rome where she accomplished a floor-and-beam routine. After performing her routine, the record was certified, and her name now remains in history of the world’s oldest gymnast.  

Although she is now retired, Johanna used to be a PE teacher and only began practising the sport later in life at the age of 56. At the time of her certification, she would try to keep active for at least an hour a day by either going for a swim or a walk.  

When asked about words of wisdom, Johanna encouraged people to “just find the sport that is right for you, and get started, whatever that is”.

She’s still in the game: Honouring the oldest croupier 

Would your maths skills still be up to scratch in your seventies? At the age of 79 years and 36 days, Joanna Dodd (USA) was recognized as the oldest croupier. She was employed at the Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the United States of America. She broke the previous world record title by one day.   

When the oldest wing walkers took to the skies 

Defying both age and gravity, at the age of 93 years and 145 days, Elizabeth “Betty” Bromage (UK) earned the title of the oldest wing walker (female).

On 4 August 2022, Betty flew over the Rendcomb Aerodrome in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK, and completed an impressive loop-the-loop and barrel rollover.

Betty recalls that she saw a TV advert for a Crunchie chocolate bar that presented the stunt, and it inspired her to see if she could take part in something as adventurous as wing walking. She tried for the first time at the age of 87, and this is where her love for stunts began. With the support of her family, she used the record-breaking attempt as a charity event where she raised funds for hospices. 

Following on from Betty’s impressive stunts, on 20 June 2023, the oldest wing walker (male) was identified as John Symmonds (UK). He was born on 2 February 1928, and at the age of 95 years and 138 days, his Guinness World Records title was verified.

John beat the previous record holder, Ivor Button, by 18 days – who would have thought that so many seniors would be soaring to the skies? 

Waves have no age – and neither does he! 

Seiichi Sano (Japan) was born on 23 September 1933 in Fujisawa, Japan, and is the Guinness World Records title holder for being the oldest person to surf (male).

After owning and running his own timber business for 50 years, Seiichi was eager to get out and see the world, so he climbed Mount Fuji. And later, Seiichi was inspired by a work friend to try something new, so surfing it was.

Only three days after his journey up Mount Fuji, he collected a wetsuit and surfboard and was ready to embark on his next adventure. He admits that he is not a professional surfer, and has no interest in becoming one, but his love for surfing has grown more each day. On 8 July 2022, he was verified as being the oldest person to surf (male) and continues to hold this record.  

He began his surfing career at 80 and celebrated his 90^th birthday by hitting the waves. Although many people worry about his safety, he loves spending his time either sitting on the board just watching the horizon or working on his favourite trick: a 180-degree jump on the board. 

When reflecting on his amazing achievement, Seiichi said: “Just think that even this old grandpa’s done it – you should be able to achieve something as well!”  

“Gamer Grandpa” is still levelling up 

On 20 August 2025, Yang Binglin, also known as "Gamer Grandpa", was recognized as being the oldest gaming streamer (male).

Born on 10 December 1935 in China, Yang set the record for the first time at the remarkable age of 87, and now, aged 89, he continues to expand his gaming knowledge and will play any new releases. 

Yang spent most of his life working in scientific research in relation to oil and gas drilling. When he retired in 1996, he was eager to find some hobbies now that he had more time on his hands, so after some experimenting, he discovered a love for table tennis and video games.

He played a range of games and in no time, his collection had expanded to more than 500. With the ever-changing technological advancements in the world, he embraced each change and followed with the times by purchasing the newest consoles, and his fans and Sony even gifted him a PS5. 

By embracing his Guinness World Records title, Yang was eager to demonstrate to the public that people of older generations can enjoy and understand gaming culture in a way that anyone else can, and that everyone should have the right to love what games they play and be involved in a gaming community, no matter what age they are.