He's a runner,
he's a track star
His weathered face, etched with lines of experience, bore a silent strength…
His deep, pondering eyes sparkled with youthful vitality…
He moves with a purposeful gait, each step deliberate yet fluid—a testament to decades of athletics competitions, sports tournaments, and rigorous training to prepare for them…
In turn, amazingly at 80, he exudes a youthful exuberance!
Balancing between a part-time job as an electrician, volunteer work at a local mosque, and rigorous training, our LB senior, Afandi Bin Buang, is a true inspiration to us all.
His story you are going to read clearly depicts that ageing is not nearing the end but endless possibilities.
Not a time of decline but a time of growth, a time of adventures and a journey of self-discovery.
His prowess in competitive sports is evident in his impressive achievements over the past six decades, amassing about 137 medals and 5 trophies – which he keeps separately in his children’s house and at his own home.
Speaking about his primary passion among the other sports, Afandi said he had never thought he would be so fixated on marathons!
“It all started when I was 17, a friend invited me to try out for the Singapore Athletics Club, “I was just interested in it casually, but it soon turned into a full-fledged love for running.
“Surprisingly, I found myself dedicating myself to at least three training sessions every week!” chuckled Afandi adding that it became an integral part of his life so much so that he started running competitively.
To date, Afandi has completed eight full marathons and four half marathons in Singapore, and two half marathons in Malaysia! For the uninitiated, full marathons are about 42-kilometre whilst half marathons are about 21-kilometre.
“I am looking forward to starting a running or walking group at the LB AAC since I just joined a few months ago. I will even slow my pace for them if they can’t catch up,” he joked and thanked his neighbour, a long-time LB member, Muhammed bin Daing Martawan, who recommended him to join the LB AAC @ Bendemeer 32.
“He told me there are a lot of interesting activities at the LB AAC, the staff is friendly and helpful, plus, there would be many seniors whom we can make friends with!” said Afandi.
In fact, the extrovert had been very sporty and joined the recently held “Halloween Costume Party” organised by LB AAC @ Bendemeer 32, dressing as a ghost!
Learn more about Afandi here!
Afandi bringing fright to the LB AAC @ Bendemeer 32’s “Halloween Costume Party”.

Afandi won the Top 5 prize for the “Halloween Costume Party” at Bendemeer AAC.
#Fitspo at 80!
Throughout his journey in the fitness and sports world, Afandi joined multiple sports clubs to meet like-minded sports enthusiasts, train together, and get the latest info on competitions and tournaments near and wide…
One of the most memorable and fun trips that Afandi fondly recalled was participating in the iconic Big Mail Walk in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, back in 1997.
This particular race is forever etched in his memory as it was one of the first challenging tournaments that he had to prepare for.
The Big Mail Walk was a 21-kilometer half-marathon that he and his buddies chose to participate in, requiring rigorous preparation – often pushing them to go above and beyond their own comfort zone.
“To prepare myself for this grueling race, I would train at the MacRitchie Reservoir, completing the full 20-kilometer loop.
“Even when I was breathless, I would remind myself to push through. We would encourage each other to keep us going,” he reminisced, adding that each of his marathons was unique and special to him, and he kept joining one every few years to re-live the exhilarating experience.
Even without an imminent competition, Afandi’s tenacity knows no bounds. He remains laser-focused on maintaining his stamina and health. “I train consistently, dedicating at least an hour either alone or with friends,” he said.
To track his progress, Afandi meticulously records his timings and the number of laps completed during each session near the LB AAC @ Bendemeer 32. This dedication led to an impressive record of completing 45 rounds, equivalent to 10 kilometers in under 72 minutes!
“Training is tough, but I know I have to persevere, so that’s how I often get placed first, second, and third in competitions,” said Afandi, showing his medals and trophies.
He lamented on the lack of space to keep them, so much so his children even threw away a sizeable collection!
However, he was undeterred as he kept on earning more medals and trophies! Plus, Afandi’s recognition for his achievements and determination also came in other ways…

Mr. Fandi, with his finisher medal and a race portrait from the 2006 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. He was 62 when his picture was taken!

Mr Fandi (third from left), posing with his finisher medal for the Johor Singapore International Masters Athletics Championship 2024! Photo credit: Red Hawk Sports Club


Mr Fandi keeps a record of his training sessions from the 1970s (top left) to 2024 (bottom right).
Recognition finds its way!
While he was working as an electrician at the Public Utilities Board (PUB) he earned a spot on their PUB Sports Union team. There, he actively participated in organising sports activities and competitions, strategically selecting the best athletes to represent the team amongst other competing clubs.
This experience paved the way for his spot in the management committee at NTUC Sports Club, where he served as a committee member for five years, and played a significant role in the seamless operations of numerous sporting events, including sepak takraw.
Later, he joined the PUB Residents’ Committee, representing the Combiners division, which encompassed cross-country, football, and athletics.
But his athletic days were far from over, it continued nonetheless, leading him to participate in competitions organised by the Singapore Masters Athletics, where he consistently achieved podium finishes in the long jump and track and field.
In the recent two decades, Afandi still continued to compete and win! Below are his notable achievements among many:
1) At 62, Afandi demonstrated remarkable endurance by completing the Standard Chartered Marathon in 2006 with an impressive time of 5:44:28!
2) At 66, he won silver in the 65-69 years category at the 24th Malaysian Open Masters Athletics Championships 2010 Triple Jump
3) At 75, he won 3rd place in the Long Jump – Men category at the Singapore Masters Athletics 40th Anniversary in 2019
Flying High But Still Grounded In Life
More than half a century, while making waves in the sports arena, Afandi still remains humble and grounded despite his stellar achievements.
“While I’m passionate about my hobby, family always comes first,” he shared. “I can always postpone a competition, but not family time,” he firmly stated.
When asked if he had set his sights on any upcoming competitions, his answer was – Yogyakarta’s Asia Masters Athletics Championships in 2025.
“I would like to participate in four different categories – 800 metres, 400 metres, 200 metres, and the 3,000 metres walk. I’m eager to compete once again,” he said with excitement.
Indeed, when one’s heart is as bold as a lion, nothing ever deter us from realising our dreams!
Ageing, as we view from Afandi’s lens, is nothing but a time to be truly excited of the coming possibilities.
We hope that these stories would inspire you to reach out and touch the lives of others.
If you would like to share your thoughts on these stories, please feel free to email us at cp@lb.org.sgBe A Volunteer
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