Andhuram Das, a retired teacher from Morigaon, maintains the habit of starting many mornings with a run at the age of 85. He engages in sports, competes, and refuses to let age dictate the pace of his life.
In December 2025, he won bronze medals in the 5000m and 10000m disciplines in the men's 85+ category at the 31st Assam District Masters Championship. His sporting career began in 1965 when he met the game Kho Kho during physical training courses in Mirza. Intrigued by its dynamism, strategy, and movements, he began teaching this then unfamiliar game to his students.
By 1995, interest in Kho Kho among his students grew, and he started training them during physical education classes without extra pay. After retiring in 1999, he continued mentoring children.
Since starting student training in 1967, Andhuram has taught over a thousand children Kho Kho and Kabaddi. Many of them later participated in competitions at district, state, and national levels.
At the age of 70, he won the 10000m race in the 70+ category. Later, in the 75+ category, he also won medals at the Indian national athletics championships in the 5000m and 10000m distances.
Every day, he wakes up at 5:30 AM, performs exercises at home, and then spends two hours running and walking, covering about 10 kilometers four times a week. Despite the simplicity of his routine, he adheres to it with unwavering discipline every week.
He aims to replicate the feat of Fauji Singh, a marathon runner who completed a 10,000 km race at the age of 101. 'I am a naturally ambitious person. I want to achieve this feat, even if I turn 105,' he states.
In January 2026, the Governor of Assam, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, recognized him under the 'Amar Mati Amar Nayak' program. At 85, his life offers a humble lesson: to keep training, keep teaching, and keep moving forward.