A JAPANESE woman who’s been named as the new world’s oldest woman is an avid climber who scaled a mountain when she hit 100 – without a walking stick.
Tomiko Itooka, 116, has succeeded the 117-year-old Spanish pensioner Maria Branyas Morera who tragically died on Tuesday.
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Tomiko was born in Osaka City, Japan, in 1908 as the second of three children.
At 20 years old, the super-centenarian got married and raised two daughters and two sons.
During World War II when Tomiko was in her early-30s, she operated the Japanese office of her husband’s textile factory while also taking care of her four kids at home.
When the 116-year-old’s husband tragically died in 1979, Tomiko lived alone in her husband’s hometown of Nara Prefecture for ten years.
For a long time Tomiko has been an avid climber and has been up legendary mountains like Mount Nijo and Ontake.
Her greatest physical achievement is said to be walking up the notoriously challenging Ashiya Shrine at 100 years old – with no stick.
Tomiko’s family believe it’s the tricky hikes she’s done that have led to her incredibly long life.
The super-centenarian’s resilience has also been seen through her survival of a serious health scare she had at the end of last year after catching the flu.
Tomiko currently resides in a nursing home in Ashiya and has been there for five years, but lived with her two daughters until the shocking age of 110.
Not only is she the world’s oldest woman, but Tomiko has also been granted the unbelievable title of the world’s oldest person by Guinness World Records.
It comes after the world’s oldest person died at the age of 117 after sharing a heartbreaking final message.
Spanish pensioner Maria Branyas Morera, who lived through two world wars and two pandemics, passed away “peacefully and without pain”.
Her family announced her passing on X, saying: “Maria Branyas has left us. She died as she wished: in her sleep, peacefully and without pain.
“We will always remember her for her advice and her kindness.”
Maria was a huge fan of social media and used to share weekly updates with her 16,000 followers on X.
In her heartbreaking final message on Tuesday, the elderly woman warned that she felt “weak” and that the “time is near”.
The post said: “The time is near. Don’t cry, I don’t like tears. And above all, don’t suffer for me.
“Wherever I go, I will be happy.”
Maria scooped the incredible title of the world’s oldest living person after French nun Lucile Randon died aged 118 in January last year.
The pensioner claimed her old age was due to “order” and “tranquillity” as well as always avoiding “toxic people”.
World’s oldest people
Tomika Itooka – Born on May 23, 1908, in the city of Osaka, she is the oldest validated person living in Japan. she is currently 116 years old.
Inah Canabarro Lucas – Born on June 8, 1908, she is the oldest person currently living in Latin America. Having become a nun in the 1920s, she’s also the oldest living person in this profession. She is currently 115 years old.
Elizabeth Francis – Born on July 25, 1909, he is the oldest known person in the state of Texas. Francis has three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He is currently 114 years old.
Ethel Caterham – Born on August 21, 1909, she is the oldest person living in the UK and has spent more than the last 50 years living in Surrey, England. She is currently 114 years old.
Okagi Hayashi – Born on September 2, 1909, is the fourth-oldest living person in Japan. Hayashi had 8 children, 22 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. He is currently 114 years old.
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