80-year-old becomes oldest man to climb Mount Everest after fourth heart operation
AN 80-year-old Japanese daredevil has become the oldest man to climb Mount Everest after he began the year with having his fourth heart operation.
Former extreme skier Yuichiro Miura, who had previously climbed the mountain aged 70 and 75, reached the 29,035 foot peak at 9.05am local time.
He travelled the Himalayan mountain with his son Gota, and the pair made a radio transmission from the top to confirm the reached their destination.
Speaking from the summit, he said: "I made it!"
"I never imagined I could make it to the top of Mount Everest at age 80. This is the world's best feeling, although I'm totally exhausted. Even at 80, I can still do quite well."
I never imagined I could make it to the top of Mount Everest at age 80. This is the world's best feeling, although I'm totally exhausted
The moment was captured from Japanese news agency Kyodo who were 6 miles away, and using a camera crew at 18,000 feet elevation on another mountain.
Upon hearing the pair reached the world's highest point, Miura's daughter who was watching the footage smile broadly and clapped.
The previous oldest man to climb Everest was Nepal's Min Bahadur Sherchan, 81, who is planning to tackle the mountain next week.
Miura's daughter said her father 'doesn't really care' about a rivalry and he's doing it 'for his own challenge.'