I

am writing this article on a debonair personality from Japan. She is an inspirational character and is no mood to let go of her magical spree.

I am talking about the unheard of, yet gaining pace, tennis women'€™s single player, Kimiko Date-Krumm. She is now 42 and she returned from retirement in 2008. While young and talented players such as Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Victoria Azarenka have excited this year'€™s Wimbledon early on. This 42-year old did not give way until she was pitched against the world number one in the third round.

Kimiko Date-Krumm began her tennis career at age 6. She initially played left handed but then had to change to right-handed according to family tradition. She reached a career high ranking of fourth in 1992. She has a won a total of 200 titles and four Japan Open titles.

She was honored with the Most Improved Player award by the WTA and still holds the world'€™s 84th ranking in women'€™s singles and 37th ranking in doubles. This accolade made her the oldest player to be included in the top 100, ahead of Billie Jean King. In the year 2001, she married the German auto racing driver, Michael Krumm.

After winning her second round match against Alexandra Cadantu from Romania, Kimiko was quickly surrounded by fans. It was only when security guards assisted her that she got away from her crazy fans!

Kimiko was also crowned the oldest player to reach the third round in Wimbledon since the Open Era began in 1968. Her opponent Serena Williams was not able to find words to describe this lady of steel who had proven the science of the human body wrong.

She said Kimiko was very fit and healthy and that she could never imagine herself playing in her 30s, forget the 40s. Kimiko also stated that the secret behind having no injuries or surgeries throughout her playing career was healthy food.

Kimiko has become an idol for the youth. She is a perfect example of how to keep our selves healthy and fit. Belonging to the country of centenarians, she has proved to be much fitter than tennis players barely half her age. With an everlasting smile and an undying spirit, she is also an idol of grace. She has always been so good to receive victory and defeat with the same spirit. She is someone I salute for the courage and confidence to go on, without caring about what others think about her. You all must go to YouTube to watch her in action and after that, don'€™t forget to remember that it was me who introduced you to this millennium woman!

Sahil Nandal
West Java