Scottish born 99 year-young man competes in World Tango Championships

Whoever said old dogs can’t learn new tricks never met 99-year-old James McManus Credit: Facebook

A 99 year-young Paisley-born man competing at the World Tango Championships in Argentina has received an ovation for his performance from aficionados at the Buenos Aires venue.

Dressed in a white jacket, black trousers and tie, he danced in the first qualifying round with an Argentine partner, Lucia Seva.

The couple won the biggest round of applause from the knowledgeable audience at the Argentine capital’s Usina del Arte venue.

“Tango brings me a lot of happiness,” James McManus told local newspapers through an interpreter. “Dancing is very important socially.”

Jim McManus, who has lived in Ireland for more than 20 years, planned to visit the Argentine capital – the home of Tango – to celebrate his 100th birthday, which he is set to celebrate in January. Tango fans and fellow dancers in Waterford, Ireland, raised money through a crowdfunding campaign to pay for the trip.

Old dogs can’t learn new tricks? Tell that to McManus who took up tango in 2002, when he was already in his 80s. McManus is now set to enter the Guinness Book of World Records after becoming the oldest-ever competitor at an international dance festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The 2019 edition of the world championships features 744 couples from 36 countries.-AFP

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Cristina Hodgson

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