Professional Athletes after 100?

Who says you can’t play professional sports after that “magical” old age number? Most people understand that a professional athlete's career may last into his or her 30s, but rarely beyond. Well, several people across the world have challenged the fact that even after 100, you can still be a professional competitor.

Let’s look a few amazing senior citizens:

Herman Smith-Johannsen (1875-1987) – At 104, Johannsen, more commonly known as “The Fabulous Jack Rabbit, competed in his final professional cross-country ski event. He was known as a pioneer of the skiing world and earned his nickname for his uncanny ability to hop around in the deepest snow in the thickest of forests. He settled in Cleveland and helped to popularize the sport of cross-country skiing in both Canada and the United States. After competing in hundreds of ski events, including several Olympic competitions, he was finally inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame at age 107. He was 111 when he died.

John Whittemore (1899-2005) – At age 104, only six weeks prior to his 105^th birthday, he competed in the Master’s Track meet in Santa Barbara, California. He was a javelin and discus thrower and set a new world record for the oldest professional Track and Field athlete.

Buddy Helms (1915-2003) – At age 87, he was a professional race car driver, his first racing being the first-ever NASCAR sanctioned race in 1949. Helms was actually still working at the time of his death as he was working on his vintage Chevrolet marine engine when gasoline ignited severely burning him.

Fred Davis (1913-1998) – At age 78, he was one of England’s more famous professional snooker and billiards player. He won both snooker and billiards. His professional career spanned from 1929 to 1993.

Jerry Barber (1916-1994) – At age 77, he was still a professional golfer playing on the PGA Tour. His biggest claim to fame was unseating Arnold Palmer in 1961 as Player of the Year on the PGA tour. That would have been at age 45 at the time. He played his last professional golf game at the Buick Invitational the same year he died.

Raja Maharaj Singh (1878-1959) – At age 72, he was still part of the professional Cricket team in Bombay. In fact, he was the captain of the team.

Albert Beckles (1930 – ) – At age 61, he won the Niagara Falls Pro Invitational bodybuilding competition in 1991. He was 5’7” and 218 pounds of pure muscle. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Becklees holds multiple international titles over his lifetime of bodybuilding.

Jeannie Longo (1958 – ) – At age 54, Jeannie Longo is still active in the professional cycling circles and is considered one of the greatest female cyclists of all time. She is a 59-time French champion and 13-time world champion cyclist. She may be most remembered for her Olympic competition in 1984. She also competed in the women’s road race in the 2008 summer Olympics, her 7^th Olympic appearance.

 Gordon Howe (1928 – ) – At age 52, he goes down as the oldest ice hockey player having been a professional with the Detroit Red Wings. He is a four-time Stanley Cup holder, and is currently retired living in Canada.

How do these people do it? Activity. In reviewing these individual’s biographies, it is adamantly clear that staying active in whatever interests you can keep both your mind and body alive and well.  Studies have long shown that staying fit and active will not only keep you living longer but will keep you living healthier.

I’m in awe over Johannsen’s cross-country skiing activities. From what I have read, the man has skied enough mileage in his lifetime that he has probably covered the distance around the earth several times! His energy comes from remaining active…active for life!

Regardless of your age or existing health, anything that you can do to improve your fitness will improve your health. Remember, you should talk with your primary care physician or health care provider before trying anything crazy. Who knows, you could be the next centurion competing in the Sochi Olympics!

References

The Auto Channel. (2013). Buddy Helms oldest NASCAR drive died from burns at age 87. Retrieved from http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2003/12/02/173688.html.

Farfan, M. (2013). Herman “Jackrabbit” Smith-Johannsen (1875-1987). Retrieved from http://laurentian.quebecheritageweb.com/article/herman-jackrabbit-smith-johannsen-1875-1987.

Wikipedia. (2013). List of oldest professional athletes by sport. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_professional_athletes_by_sport.