Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman, has recently been recognized as the world’s oldest living person at the age of 116, taking over the title following the passing of 117-year-old Maria Branyas. This acknowledgment has been confirmed by the Guinness World Records. Itooka’s birthdate on May 23, 1908, has been verified by the Gerontology Research Group, a body known for validating information about individuals aged 110 or older, placing her at the pinnacle of the World Supercentenarian Rankings List. She currently resides in a nursing home situated in Ashiya, a city in Hyogo Prefecture, which has also substantiated her birthdate.
After the announcement of Maria Branyas’ demise, Itooka was officially designated as the oldest living individual globally, a status corroborated by Guinness on Thursday. Responding to the news of her new accolade, Itooka simply replied with a gracious “Thank you,” a sentiment she frequently expresses towards the caregivers in her residence. Recently celebrating her birthday three months back, she was treated to flowers, a cake, and a card by the mayor. Every morning, Itooka indulges in a popular yogurt-flavored beverage called Calpis, with bananas ranking as her favorite food.
Hailing from Osaka, Itooka has a background as a volleyball player during her high school years. She tied the knot at the age of 20, eventually becoming a mother to two daughters and two sons, as documented by Guinness. In the tumultuous period of World War II, she oversaw the administrative duties of her spouse’s textile factory. Following the passing of her husband in 1979, she resided independently in Nara before eventually transitioning to the nursing home. Despite her advanced age, Itooka’s zest for life remains evident as she conquered the 3,067-meter (10,062-foot) Mount Ontake twice and continued to relish lengthy treks even beyond the century mark.
