A Cork man who defeated Brazilian star midfielder Kaka at a marathon over the weekend has spoken of his shock after an image of them went viral.
ompeting within the 55 years and over class on the Berlin Marathon, John Casey (58) stormed handed the 2007 Champions League winner on the mile 21 mark and ended up ending the occasion eight minutes quicker.
Mr Casey completed in a time of simply over 3-hours and 30 minutes, and {a photograph} of him overtaking Kaka has blown up on social media in current days, however he didn’t realise who he had handed on the time.
“I used to be working with the three.30 pacer group and we handed them at mile 21,” he stated.
“I name it the Covid handshake, he simply gave a fist bump to me. We exchanged a fist bump as we’re passing proper and a smile.
“At that juncture, the group knew that the world file was after being crushed round at mile 21, there was a giant buzz within the crowd at that cut-off date.
“Then the group have been calling out his title [Kaka] and I assumed no extra of it and simply ran on. I did not realise that the {photograph} was taken on the finish and look, it completely has gone viral like within the final 48 hours, it has been completely mad.”
Talking on RTÉ’s At present with Claire Byrne programme, Mr Casey stated the fist bump he shared with the footballer was typical of the “inclusive” nature of runners and athletic competitors typically. He stated Kaka appeared “very nice” and there was “no airs and graces about him”.
“He’s a world famous person, and he actually had an amazing interplay with the group to be truthful to him,” he added.
Mr Casey admitted that his personal achievement of beating the AC Milan legend was “good going” and he thanked his trainers at Togher Athletic for serving to him to arrange.
Approaching his 59th birthday, Mr Casey took up working 10 years in the past and Berlin was his first marathon. He stated the race was a “bucket listing” occasion, as his son Jack lives there.
“I feel the {photograph} has touched individuals on numerous ranges,” he stated.
“So to begin with, I feel the very first thing individuals name out like, it is an amazing reminiscence to have if you happen to’re doing a bucket listing to be form of photographed at that degree. Second factor is there’s the form of shared ache on the marathon, positively on each our faces.
“And I feel the opposite factor then is there is a good little bit of banter about like. You realize, this little bit of insurgent, I am from Cork and there is a little bit of insurgent grit and Irish grit in sporting grit within the form of efficiency.”
“The primary marathon connection as nicely, wish to be photographed on the road by a German photographer, out of 45,000 Folks that entered the race is mad.”
Following the race Kaka posted an image, on his 19 million follower Instagram account, together with his medal, celebrating his 3-hour 38 minute time.
Former Brazil internation Kaka. Credit score: @Kaka
Mr Casey stated the Brazilian “put within the work and deserves all the pieces he will get from it”.
