Japanese mountaineer Koukichi Akuzawa, aged 102, has successfully climbed Mount Fuji, standing at 3,776 meters, making him the oldest male to reach the summit in history and breaking the Guinness World Record.
According to the report on the Guinness World Records website on August 18, Akuzawa reached the peak of Mount Fuji on August 5, breaking the world record for the oldest male climber of Mount Fuji at the age of 102 years and 51 days.
As the honorary chairman of the Gunma Prefecture Mountaineering Club, Akuzawa Koukichi goes climbing almost every week. In 2022, he climbed Mount Nokogiri in Kanagawa Prefecture (at an altitude of 1,272 meters) to celebrate his 99th birthday. This time, he set his sights on the more challenging Mount Fuji. He had previously climbed Mount Fuji, with the most recent ascent being at the age of 96.
Earlier this year, Akuzawa Koukichi fell during a climb, subsequently developed shingles, and suffered from heart failure. However, with strong willpower, he underwent rehabilitation by walking for an hour every morning and climbing almost every week to improve his physical strength.
On the morning of August 3 at 8:40 am, Akuzawa Koukichi embarked on a 3-day journey to reach the summit, spending two nights in mountain huts along the way. Although he chose the simplest route out of the four available, it was still a challenging trek, usually taking about 6 hours to reach the summit, which was a daunting task for him.
During the ascent, Akuzawa Koukichi was fortunate to encounter good weather conditions but had to overcome challenges such as cold winds, decreased air pressure, and lack of oxygen due to the high-altitude climate. Especially when he reached the final stretch near the “ninth station” from the summit, his exhaustion almost made him consider giving up.
Considering his age and physical condition, some fellow climbers did not object to his idea of giving up. However, his 70-year-old daughter encouraged him to “take one step at a time,” which motivated him to persevere and successfully reach the summit on the morning of August 5.
Upon reaching the summit, Akuzawa Koukichi left his signature at the shrine, marking the completion of this challenging endeavor. He expressed that he felt relieved rather than excited at that moment.
He said, “This time was really tough, completely different from the previous ascent at 96. I am amazed that I succeeded in reaching the summit. I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support. I am very happy now.”
When asked if he wants to challenge it again, he jokingly replied, “No, I don’t.” But he also said, “If you ask me again next year, maybe the answer will be different. But for now, I am happy with this ascent.”
In Japan, there are many individuals like Akuzawa Koukichi who aim to conquer Mount Fuji, with some even having climbed it over 2,000 times and never tiring of the experience.
Previously reported by Epoch Times, an octogenarian named Masaru Jikawa from Shizuoka Prefecture has persistently climbed Mount Fuji for many years, earning him the title of “Mr. Fuji.” He achieved his goal of climbing Mount Fuji for the 2,230th time on September 10, 2023.
What makes Mount Fuji so unique and continuously attracts climbers?
The Japan National Tourism Organization points out that Mount Fuji is not just a high mountain but also a cultural symbol and geographical wonder of Japan. For the Japanese people, this mountain holds significant spiritual value and serves as a source of artistic inspiration.
For centuries, the Japanese have established an unbreakable spiritual connection with Mount Fuji. Before modern times, Mount Fuji was a place where ascetics underwent training, and lower-class people also made pilgrimages there. The many shrines at the foot of Mount Fuji can attest to its importance in terms of faith and history.