Grandparents' Day: 93-year-old Keralite, who embraced fitness at 90, is a regular at beach marathons

At 93, K A Shakunni from Kerala's Alappuzha has a daily routine that could put many youngsters to the test: a 90-minute gym session before 7 am, followed by three to four hours of work on his farm. Life, however, was not always this way for him. Just four years ago, he was battling diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Shakunni also began experiencing memory loss and cramps in his hands and legs, which made him rethink his lifestyle.

Today, he wakes up before 5 am every day. After drinking a litre of water, he heads to the gym at 5.30 am and works out until 7 am. He then returns home for breakfast before spending the next three to four hours tending to his farm, where he grows vegetables and bananas. After lunch, he spends time painting or doing handicrafts.

What inspired him
At age 90, Shakunni, a resident of Kannarkattu House in Muhamma, decided to change his lifestyle. Along with embracing regular exercise, he gave up tea and coffee completely and has been practising intermittent fasting for the past four years.

His renewed focus on health was inspired by a video by Kottayam-based Dr P E Abraham, in which the doctor introduced his 97-year-old mother, who was still fit and active. Shakunni got in touch with the doctor and began making changes to his own lifestyle.

What he does for fitness
Shankunni has since run the Beach Marathon for three consecutive years, in 2024, 2025 and 2026. For someone who has crossed 90, his biggest complaint about age is not physical strain but the lack of time to rest.

A retired art teacher, Shakunni has been passionate about farming since childhood. After completing a five-year diploma in fine arts from the Alappuzha School of Arts, he began his career as an art teacher at 27. He married Ambujakshi the same year.

His wife has since passed away, and he now lives with his eldest son and his family. Even in his nineties, Shakunni continues to teach children to draw and paint and occasionally makes cement sculptures. Between the gym, farm, and art, Shakunni has little room in his day to slow down.