Japan's centenarian sets swimming record

A Japanese woman has become the first centenarian in the world to complete a 1,500-metre freestyle swim.

Mieko Nagaoka, a 100-year-old Japanese swimmer, celebrates after successfully swimming 1,500 meters in 1 hour, 15 minutes, 54.39 seconds.

Japanese woman Mieko Nagaoka has set a world record by swimming 1,500-metres freestyle in just under an hour and 16 minutes at the age of 100.

She was the sole competitor in the 100 to 104-year-old category at the race in Matsuyama, western Japan.

Ms Nagaoka was the first woman in the world to have successfully swum the distance in the short pool course, according to the Japan Masters Swimming Association.

Ms Nagaoka told Kyodo News the swim wouldn't be her last.

"I want to swim until I turn 105 if I can live that long," she said.

It is expected that her swim will be recorded by Guinness World Records.

Ms Nagaoka last year published a book called "I'm 100 years old and the world’s best active swimmer."

She took up the sport at the age of 80.