84-year-old planks for seven minutes to win record after late-life fitness transformation

Nearly six years ago, a doctor placed his hand on Suzannah Wish’s (Canada) back, and diagnosed her with a dowager’s hump. The curvature at the base of her neck would cause pain and reduce her mobility, so he suggested to the septuagenarian that she join a gym and work on her health.

Yet less than a decade later, Suzannah has done more than cure her ailment – she’s become a new Guinness World Records title holder for an inspiring fitness record.

On 9 June last year, Suzannah was 84 years and 296 days old when she became the oldest person to perform an abdominal plank (female) ever, taking the title from then-82-year-old Sarah Blackman (USA). 

And to make her accomplishment even more impressive, the senior held the position for an incredible seven minutes – a task that many young athletes might struggle to do!

“I am feeling so very blessed and grateful at this age to be competing for this title,” said Suzannah to GWR, adding that the experience was even more incredible because she was able to do it free from her dowager’s hump. 

“Everyone involved was enthused to see this come to fruition.”

Read more stories about amazing senior athletes in our dedicated Sports and Fitness section!

Suzannah told us that she’s always been a health-conscious individual (“ask my children about brewer's yeast pancakes, yuck,” she said) – yet back in the 1970s, her main modes of exercise were yoga-style stretching, walking, swimming, dancing, and skiing.

Her daughter was actually the one to introduce her to planking, and after her doctor’s wake-up call, she quickly picked up the activity in addition to going to the gym.

“Eventually I was able to achieve close to 30 minutes,” said Suzannah, “... however, this was not to GWR standards, [because] I would throw in a downward dog for a handful of seconds to relieve the stress from my lower back.”

Still, Suzannah kept plugging away at the plank – and it wasn’t until one of her gym mates, Pierre Forand, noticed her record-breaking potential that she even considered going for the title. 

“After a short Google search, sure enough, we saw the record was within reach,” she remarked. “[And] with the encouragement of my family and Pierre, I began to pursue the record.” 

Finally, on 9 June, the 84-year-old felt prepared to put her skills to the test. 

Surrounded by a supportive crowd of friends, family, witnesses, timers, doctors, and gym buddies, Suzannah stretched out across a yoga mat at her home in Osoyoos, British Columbia.

Dressed in a pale pink top and flowery leggings, the determined athlete planted herself into position – and when she heard the word “go”, she hoisted herself up into the perfect plank form!

As time dragged on, Suzannah kept her back flat and her arms at a firm 90° angle, despite the tremors of exhaustion. 

Inspired by the cheers from her supporters, she was able to hold the plank for a full seven minutes and two seconds – allowing her to firmly secure the record and take her place in senior-athlete history!

After the timer indicated she was done, Suzannah flopped on to the mat and shook with relief and joy as her loved ones rushed to congratulate her. 

She smacked her hand on the mat with joy, and laughed as she was surrounded with hugs and admiration from all those who saw her push through her health struggles to achieve greatness.

So congratulations, Suzannah – you are Officially Amazing!