Archive · 10 Aug 2026
76-Year-Old Former Banker Kurian Jacob Chases Swimming World Record
Kurian Jacob is a 76-year-old man from India who used to work as a banker.
When he retired in 2017, he did not stop doing exciting things.
In 2019, his friends asked him to join a swimming competition for older adults, and he won some medals.
He started practising very hard, even using online videos to learn new skills.
In 2023, he swam in Finland and came home with five medals.
His best moment came at the 2025 World Masters Games in Taipei, where he won nine medals, including two golds.
One special win was a three-kilometre swim in open water, which was scary at first.
Now he hopes to break a world record at the games in Japan in 2027.
He also wants to encourage older people to get moving and stay healthy.
His message is simple: age is just a number, and sportsmen never retire.
Kurian Jacob, 76, a former international banker, began competitive Masters swimming in 2019 after college friends persuaded him to enter a state-level competition.
At the 2025 World Masters Games in Taipei, he won nine medals, including two golds, highlighted by victory in the three-kilometre open-water event.
He is targeting a world record in the 200-metre freestyle in the 75-80 age category at the 2027 World Masters Games in Kansai, Japan.
His training routine includes swimming about three kilometres each morning and training six days a week, plus gym, stretching and yoga.
Through the WalkAbout Athlete Programme, he advocates greater recognition, incentives and support for Masters athletes in India's sports policy.
- Who
- Kurian Jacob, a 76-year-old former international banker and Masters swimmer representing India.
- What
- His competitive swimming career, including nine medals at the 2025 World Masters Games and a world-record pursuit in the 200-metre freestyle for the 75-80 age category.
- When
- From his first Masters competition in 2019 through competitions in 2023-2026, with the 2027 World Masters Games in Kansai as his next major target.
- Where
- Reported from Mumbai, India; competitions held in Finland, Cleveland, Taiwan, Taipei and Abu Dhabi, with the next target in Kansai, Japan.
- Why
- To test himself competitively in later life and to encourage older people to become more active, while advocating greater support for India's Masters athletes.
- Age
- 76 years old
- Former profession
- International banker; retired in 2017
- Competitive start
- 2019, at a state-level Masters swimming competition
- 2025 World Masters Games (Taipei) results
- Nine medals, including two golds
- 2023 Finland results
- Three silver and two bronze medals, plus personal bests in 400m and 800m
- Next major target
- World Masters Games Kansai 2027; world record in 200m freestyle (75-80 age category)
- Training routine
- About 3 km of morning swimming, six days a week; gym three days a week
- Advocacy initiative
- WalkAbout Athlete Programme