Former and retired world heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko mourns one of his close friends, and someone whom he called his oldest fan, who died before her 120th birthday celebration.
Wladimir Klitschko who recently celebrated five years since he launched the Klitschko museum with his brother, on Thursday took to his social media page to mourn and at the same time, celebrate the fan whom he identified as Mrs Lydia Smuda.
Taking to his page, he put up an old photo of their two and captioned it with these words of tribute:
“R.I.P., dear Mrs. Smuda! I lost one of my biggest and probably oldest fans: Last week Lydia Smuda, born in 1906, died peacefully in her retirement home in Hamburg. She nearly knew more details about my fights than I did… Mrs. Smuda provided me with some helpful advice and inspired me for my life. With her amazing personality and her strong “keep living” approach, she is a true role model. “Keep on moving, if you stand still, you’ll fall back”, she told me and as you know this is my motto ever since. In more than 112 years of lifetime she herself never stood still.
I promised to re-visit her on her 120th birthday – sadly she did not make it to that age. Today, I want to express my deep-felt mourning for Mrs. Smuda’s death!
Mrs. Smuda, you have truly been a moving force! I will never forget your cheerful disposition”.