A 70-year-old man has become the most striking image of Santiago de Cuba after being filmed skating with remarkable skill on the street near Plaza de Marte, the heart of the city's historic center.
The unique scene was shared on Instagram by stylist Joiker Fashion, who had a conversation with the elderly man in the middle of the avenue.
"This only happens here in Santiago de Cuba, here in the capital, in the hot lands," exclaims Joiker as he watches the man glide with a fluidity that many young people would envy.
What is most astonishing is not only the ease with which the septuagenarian glides on skates, but also the short time he has been practicing: just four months. As he mentions in the video, his routine consists of three daily sessions—morning and afternoon—and he goes to the plaza every day, where anyone can find him.
The protagonist, a native of Santiago, had no prior experience in skating when he decided to begin. The discipline with which he embraced the challenge explains the level he has achieved in such a short time.
"At 70 years old, look at the mastery he has with the skates," emphasizes the narrator of the clip.
The scene takes place in one of the most emblematic spaces of the city. Plaza de Marte emerged in the late 18th century as a parade ground for military exercises and today serves as a gathering point for citizens in the historic center of Santiago, a backdrop for everyday life and sociocultural activities.
In recent years, videos of Cuban senior citizens have circulated on social media, showcasing energy and unexpected skills, such as those of some grandmothers dancing reparto or acouple of grandparents stealing the show with their mastery of reparto.
The case of the Santiago resident also adds an inspiring element that is hard to ignore: he started without any experience, at an age when many would consider it impossible to learn something like this, and in just a few months, he achieved a mastery that leaves observers speechless.
Experts in skating point out that there is no universal age limit to start this activity, and its benefits for older adults include improvements in balance, coordination, cardiovascular health, and emotional well-being. The septuagenarian in Plaza de Marte seems to understand this better than anyone.
Filed under: