Back to the blocks for 100-year-old speedster

A 100-year-old man’s bid to become the fastest centenarian on the planet has been thwarted by a piece of modern-day equipment.

Philip Rabinowitz, from South Africa, made his world-record attempt at the Mandela Park Athletics stadium near Cape Town.

The pensioner ran what he thought was the perfect race, timing himself at 28.7 seconds, destroying the previous best of 36.1secs.

But sadly for Rabinowitz, the hi-tech electronic timers gave way before his legs did and failed to ratify the record.

The blame was put on a power failure and none of the figures could be confirmed independently.

But Rabinowitz - nicknamed “Rabinoblitz” - was not too down-hearted.

“I feel absolutely wonderful. I never thought I’d be able to do it,” he said.

The athlete, who turned 100 in February, walks four miles a day to keep fit and still works, doing the accounts for his daughter’s business.

Rabinowitz already holds the record for the world’s oldest competitive walker and you can bet your boots he’ll be having another crack at the 100m - just as soon as he’s got his breath back.