"Can Arm Wrestle His Granddaughter": 119-Year-Old Man Aims to Become World's Oldest Living Person

Guinness World Records Launches Official Verification

Born in 1907, Currently Residing in Costa Rica

A 119-year-old man residing in Costa Rica is seeking to set a new record as the world's oldest living man. He will undergo an official birth date verification process.

According to Guinness World Records (GWR) and other sources, Jose Flores, a former farmer from Costa Rica who is 119 years old, is currently in the process of having his name entered into the record for 'world's oldest living man.'

The date of birth on his identification card is July 11, 1907. If officially recognized, Flores would become the oldest man living on Earth.

Costa Rican man Jose Flores and his granddaughter and caregiver Helen Flores. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Despite being 119 years old, he is reported to be in good health. Flores is known to have such strength that he can arm wrestle his granddaughter. His granddaughter and caregiver, Helen Flores, said, "Grandfather sometimes shares stories from his life and even tells jokes."

According to foreign media reports, Sardinal in the Nicoya Peninsula, where Flores lives, boasts both a high average life expectancy and a higher proportion of centenarians than other regions. It has also been included in the list of the world’s five major 'Blue Zones'—locations recognized for their statistically significant populations of people living past 100 years old.

Experts attribute Sardinal’s longevity to mineral-rich drinking water, a diet based mainly on corn and beans, regular physical activity, and strong community bonds.

Meanwhile, Flores's family and longevity research organizations have submitted documents such as his birth certificate and baptism certificate to GWR and are awaiting the results of official verification. The current officially certified oldest living person in the world is Ethel Caterham from the United Kingdom at 117 years old. Last year, following the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canavarro Lucas, Caterham was recognized as the world’s oldest living person.

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