TAIWANESE YU TE-HSIN, THE OLDEST MAN TO TANDEM PARAGLIDE, CELEBRATES HIS 110TH BIRTHDAY

https://longeviquest.com/2025/04/taiwanese-yu-te-hsin-the-oldest-man-to-tandem-paraglide-celebrates-his-110th-birthday/

Yu Te-Hsin (尤德馨), a resident of Taichung, Taiwan, celebrated his 110th birthday on 17 March, according to the Facebook page managed by his granddaughter.

In May 2020, at the age of 105, he completed a tandem paragliding flight from Hutou Mountain in Puli Township, becoming the oldest person to do so and earning recognition from Guinness World Records. Yu Te-Hsin may be the oldest man to have ever lived in Taiwan.

Yu Te-Hsin was born in Hailun, Heilongjiang, China, on 17 March 1915. After his mother passed away when he was an infant, he was raised by his aunt and great-grandfather in a large family deeply rooted in Buddhism and Taoism. From a young age, he participated in temple rituals and spiritual practices. Inspired by a respected elder, Yu pursued intense meditation and a strict vegetarian lifestyle. By 25, he believed he had attained deep spiritual enlightenment, priding himself on his ability to shut out all external distractions.

In 1949, as the political landscape in China shifted, Yu Te-Hsin arranged for his family to move to Taichung, Taiwan, while he remained behind until the last moment, evacuating Shanghai with the Nationalist Army. His journey took him through the Zhoushan Archipelago before he reunited with his family and took a military position in Kaohsiung.

Despite his upbringing, Yu later converted to Christianity. His wife was the first to be baptized. After her conversion, many Christians frequently visited their home to share the gospel with him. At first, he avoided them, but over time, he became more open to listening. Eventually, he prayed, and according to him, the Lord answered his prayer. He claimed to have seen visions, including one night at midnight when a red light shone through his window, and he felt unseen hands pulling him from both sides. Following the advice of church members, he prayed for several days and gradually experienced a deep sense of peace. Soon after, at the age of 40, he accepted Christianity and was baptized.

Happy Birthday!