The World’s Oldest Gymnast Crushes A Seriously Impressive Routine In Internet-Famous Video

Jun 03, 2021 by apost team

Gymnastics routines have been getting a lot of love in the last few years — and for good reason. Some of the routines that gymnasts are turning out these days show incredible technical skill, while others are an absolute joy to watch, incorporating elements of dance and other performance aspects. However, it's usually current professional gymnasts whose videos make the rounds on the internet — after all, they're the ones at the top of their game.

But one gymnast whose videos the internet can't get enough of fits into a completely different category. German gymnast Johanna Quaas is 96 years old — that's right, she's nearly a centenarian. And since 2012, she's officially the "World's oldest gymnast," according to the Guinness World Records. Not only is she still competing, but videos of Quass' routines have been shared online, and unsurprisingly the public can't get enough.

In one jaw-dropping video that is making the rounds on the internet, a then 91-year-old Quass completes a gymnastics routine in a competition in Berlin. The footage is from the Internationales Deutsches Turnfest Berlin, which took place on June 6, 2017. 

But there are other videos of Quaas' gym routines, which include everything from floor routines to the parallel bars, and although she isn't at the world championship level, her achievements are just as awe-inspiring when considering her age. 

Having practiced gymnastics since she was very young, Quaas sees her age as no barrier. On top of her biweekly gym lessons, she stays fit by doing some form of exercise each day. What an inspiration!

Johanna Quaas was born on Nov. 20, 1925, which makes her 95 years old. But unlike most other nonagenarians, Quaas is still incredibly active. In fact, "active" doesn't quite cover it. Named the "world's oldest gymnast" by Guinness World Records in 2012, when she was 86, Quass is a true inspiration to people the world over. Asked how she "got into record-breaking" in the accompanying interview with Guinness World Records, she explained:

"I was at a championship competition, and a person in the crowd recorded a video of one of my routines. This ended up on YouTube, and got over a million views. Then Guinness World Records sent an invitation to my manager for me to appear on the Italian TV show in Rome, where I received my record."

It seems that Quaas wasn't even looking for the adulation that she's received, but it just kind of fell into her lap. The video that propelled her to fame has now received over 3.7 million views and counting, and since then, more videos of Quaas have appeared online.  

In the same interview with Guinness World Records, Quaas was asked about her training regimen, to which she replied:

“I practice gymnastics only twice per week, but every day I do an hour of some sport or exercise — usually swimming or a walk.”

This somehow makes her achievement almost seem possible for anyone, but no doubt many lack the dedication and commitment that Quaas has. She even had words of advice to those who aren't the usual sporting types, revealing, "Just find the sport that is right for you, and get started, whatever that is."

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In a more recent interview with The Straits Times, Quaas spoke about the additional perks of her gym training, stating, “If you are fit, it is easier to master life," before adding: 

“I do gymnastics to avoid being susceptible to falls and that is a good preventive tool.”

On top of becoming an internet sensation, Quaas became an inductee in the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2015.  

When quizzed in her 2012 interview with Guinness World Records on whether she thinks she’s getting too old for gymnastics, she said at the time:

“No, absolutely not. If you stick with it you can definitely carry on at a high age. I'd like to still be competing when I'm 90.”

Well, it looks like she made it! Not only that, but she's still competing even as her 96th birthday comes closer. Well aware of the vitality and youthfulness that practicing gymnastics brings her, Quaas told The Straits Times:

"My face is old but my heart is young. Maybe the day I stop doing gymnastics is the day I die.”

Another gymnast for whom age is just a number is Oksana Chusovitina. The Russian athlete, while much younger than Quaas at 45, participated in the 2016 Olympics in Rio at age 41, making her the oldest gymnast to ever compete in the games.

What a true inspiration these women are — and not only to athletes but to every person in the world. If Quaas can achieve what she has well into her 90s, then there's hope for us all.

What do you think of Johanna Quass' achievements? Do you know any gymnasts still at it in their 90s? If you found this inspiring, then make sure you pass it along to your friends and family.