Government officials in Peru are claiming that a 124-year-old Peruvian farmer is the “World’s Oldest Human” after a 111-year-old British man was awarded the title last week.
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Last Friday (April 5), Reuters reported that the world’s oldest living man was identified as 111-year-old John Tinniswood, of the United Kingdom. Tinniswood, who has been retired for more than half a century, was given the Guinness World Records title following the recent death of 114-year-old Juan Vicente Perez Mora, of Venezuela.
Before retirement, Tinniswood, who was born in 1912 in Merseyside, northern England, was an accountant and postal service worker. When he was named the “World’s Oldest Human” last week, was asked what his secret to longevity was. He said, “You either live long or you live short, and you can’t do much about it.”
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The 111-year-old British man further said his longevity was “just luck.” He insisted that there was no special secret to his diet, however, he did note that his favorite food was fish and chips, which he treats himself to every Friday. He continued to share a message of his view of the world. He stated, “The world, in its way, is always changing. It’s a sort of ongoing experience… It’s getting a little better but not all that much yet. It’s going the right way.”
Upon awarding Tinniswood his title, officials with the Guinness World Records said that the 111-year-old British man’s claim to the record was assessed by experts and by the Gerontology Research Group, which is known for cataloging the world’s confirmed “supercentenarians.”
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Just four days after their report on 111-year-old John Tinniswood being awarded the “World’s Oldest Human,” Reuters then reported that government officials in Peru disputed the titleholder’s claim and insisted that a 124-year-old former farmer is the true award recipient.
Peruvian officials said that a local resident named Marcelino Abad Tolentino, from the central Peruvian region of Huanuco, is the “World’s Oldest Human,” having been born in 1900 and currently standing at 124 years old; thus, making the former farmer the oldest living person in the world, and also the oldest human ever independently verified. The oldest person ever verified reached age 122 before passing.
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The man from Peru, who was born in the small town of Chaglla celebrated his 124 birthday on April 5 and claims his secrets to longevity include a diet of mostly fruits, as well as lamb meat. It’s also reported that the 124-year-old man made a habit of chewing coca leaves, which is a tradition in Peru’s Andean communities.
Government officials in Peru released a statement and in part said, “Among the tranquility of the flora and fauna of Huanuco, Marcelino Abad Tolentino, or ‘Mashico,’ developed a healthy way of life and inner peace, reflected in his good health and friendly personality. This allowed him, with resilience and skill, to overcome 12 decades of life and on April 5th he just blew out 124 candles.”
Fighting against the 111-year-old British man’s claim, the Peruvian government is now helping the 124-year-old man apply to the Guinness World Records for independent verification. In a statement given to Reuters, a spokesperson said, “Guinness World Records receives many applications from individuals who claim to be the oldest living person.” In helping the man verify his claim, the government will have to provide official documents and other evidence to be thoroughly reviewed by a team of experts in order to “prove their achievement beyond doubt.”
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