HYROX Singapore's Oldest Athlete Set for National Stadium Return: Jumahat Wari
- Hana Basir
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 26
Defying Age with Grit and Self Belief, HYROX Singapore’s Oldest Athlete Jumahat Wari Set for Singapore National Stadium Return
This is a feature article written by SportPlus.sg for Kallang Alive Sports Management. For more sports events, programmes and human stories of Singapore Sports Hub, visit the Singapore Sports Hub's 'Here to Play' website.
“Age is just a number. Don’t be scared, you just need to try your best.”
For those torn between desire and doubt, longing to grow but afraid to leap—these were the words Jumahat Wari had to offer.
At 71 years old, Jumahat was the oldest racer at last year’s HYROX Singapore. With the encouragement of his daughter, Norliyana Jumahat, he took part in and completed his first HYROX at the Singapore National Stadium in June 2024, before going on to take part in the second edition as well in August.
And you’d be daft to think he’s stopping there.
This year, Jumahat is set to return to the Singapore National Stadium to compete again in the 2025 AIA HYROX Open Asian Championships Men’s Open.
“Your spirit is the most important. If you have no spirit, you can’t do anything,” encouraged Jumahat.
“When I completed HYROX last year, I was so happy because my family was all there. My friends and supporters all clapped for me and that made me very happy. Everyone I met in the gym and the HYROX community are all so supportive of me. You have to be friendly, talk to them, ask them how to improve.”
Jumahat, whose passion for sport is rooted in triathlon, has cultivated a strong sporting culture within his family. Located at the heart of Tanjong Pagar, Jumahat’s children Norliyana and Hafiz Jumahat run MethodX Gym—a HYROX affiliated gym. It is there where Jumahat trains everyday and strives to improve, no matter the pain he has to endure.
“My daughter introduced HYROX to me and pushed me to join, she poisoned me!” joked Jumahat as the father-daughter, now student-coach duo laughed.
“As a senior citizen, from the first second to the last, it was very tough. Every station was difficult for me because of my age. I did enjoy the open air race experience at the Singapore National Stadium, it’s better than aircon. With the open space, there’s a bigger crowd to support you. They call out your name, and your spirit grows bigger.”
For Jumahat—who crossed the finish line with a time of 3:15:47—nothing can ever stop you but yourself. As an endurance athlete, that is the mentality he has ingrained in himself.
Before competing in fitness races, Jumahat’s first love was cycling, and has competed in several overseas races with his kids. Jumahat once prevailed as champion in the 2018 Gran Fondo New York and has tasted IRONMAN relay events.
Before he takes on HYROX Singapore once more at Singapore Sports Hub, Jumahat will first conquer the POWERMAN in Putrajaya, Malaysia—a duathlon event he’ll take on solo for the first time. Then, in September, Jumahat will travel across the Causeway to take part in the Maybank Cycling Series in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
“For me, I build myself mentally by telling myself to do my best and to not give up. I don’t tell myself that just because I’m an old man, I can’t do it. That’s my mentality,” he shared with conviction.
“When it hurts, don’t think about it and go forward. If you think, you won’t be able to do it. At my age, I still hope to challenge the youngsters! Don’t think that because of your age, you can’t beat the youngsters.”
At 71, he firmly believes in the importance of continually challenging oneself. He says that staying active later in life ultimately comes down to personal desire—and facilities like those at the Singapore Sports Hub are there for anyone willing to make the most of them.
“As a senior citizen, you should enjoy yourself if you want to exercise at places like Sports Hub. If you want to go, you go. If you don’t want to yet, it’s okay! You can’t force it,” he said in the simplest of words. #HYROXSG #mySgSportsHub