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3 months ago
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Japanese Tomiko Itaoka has become the world's oldest person at the age of 116, after the death of Spanish Maria Branas Morera at the age of 117, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Japanese woman's age and date of birth, May 23, 1908, were confirmed by the Gerontology Research Group, which verifies details of people believed to be 110 or older, and placed her at the top of the world's oldest people rankings.
Itaoka lives in a nursing home in Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, which also confirmed her date of birth.
She was named the world's oldest person after the Branyas family announced the death of the 117-year-old woman on Tuesday. Guinness confirmed Etoka's new status on Thursday.
When told she had become the oldest person, Etoka replied, "Thank you," a phrase she often repeats to her caregivers.
Ituka celebrated her birthday three months ago, receiving flowers, a cake and a greeting card from the city's mayor.
Every morning, she drinks a popular yogurt-flavored drink called "Kalbis" and her favorite food is bananas.
Born in Osaka, Itoka was a high school volleyball player and married at age 20, having two daughters and two sons, according to Guinness World Records.
Itoka ran her husband's textile factory office during World War II and lived alone in Nara after her husband's death in 1979, before entering a nursing home.
She climbed the 3,067-meter-high Mount Ontake twice, and enjoyed hiking even after she was 100 years old.
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