Longevity in sport
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I know that Brad Thorn played into his early 40's, but I just read about this Japanese soccer player who has just been signed up for another season and will be playing aged 51.
One of the longest careers in soccer has been extended after 50-year-old striker Kazuyoshi Miura renewed his contract with second-division J-League club Yokohama FC on Thursday. Miura, who will turn 51 on Feb. 26, will enter his 33rd season this year. Miura played in 12 league games last year and scored one goal, breaking his own record as the J-League's oldest scorer. Miura joined Yokohama FC in 2005 and became the oldest player to appear in a professional match at the age of 50 years and seven days last March, catching global media attention by surpassing England legend Stanley Matthews' longevity record. Nicknamed "King Kazu," Miura played for Brazilian club Santos and in Italy with Genoa earlier in his career, and represented Japan's national team 89 times, scoring 55 goals.https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180111/p2g/00m/0sp/069000c
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Jaromir Jagr is in the news today. The Mullet is looking for a trade, still playing in the National Hockey League at 45. Greatest Euro hockey playeer ever? (Probably.) Won his first Stanley Cup 27 years ago; won an Olympic Gold Medal 20 years ago. Last year he played 88 games (82 regular season + 6 playoffs). He’s made well over $100-million in his career, but still hungry, wants more. (I think he has a gambling problem.)
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Manu Ginobli going well in the NBA at 40. Vince Carter still getting game time as well and is a touch older than Manu.
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@crucial said in Longevity in sport:
Wasn't there a pommy goalkeeper that was still playing internationals into his 40s?
Are you thinking of that Irish goalie Shay Given who was at Stoke? He’s in his 40s.
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Peter Shilton.
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Ric Flair was still taking hard bumps into his 60s.
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In cricket Misbah-ul-Haq for Pakistan played his last match when he was nearly 43, which is a pretty amazing effort in the modern era. Everyone else above him in the list played a long time ago now, before the game was professional.
Test matches | Individual records (captains, players, umpires) | Oldest players | ESPNcricinfo
Find records of Oldest players in Test matches only on ESPNcricinfo.
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@no-quarter He could still be playing today if he wanted to he was still getting better with age.
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@salacious-crumb said in Longevity in sport:
Ric Flair was still taking hard bumps into his 60s.
Demolition recently did an exhibition match.
RIP Andre, Mr Perfect, Macho Man, Ultimate Warrior, Rick Rude, Dusty Rhodes, Hercules, Bad News Brown, Big Boss Man, Earthquake, Crush, Miss Elizabeth and Bobby Heenan though.
Drugs and Gigantism can hinder a wrestling career somewhat.
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The Nature Boy was the Intercontinental Champion at 56!
WHOOO!
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@mariner4life said in Longevity in sport:
The Nature Boy was the Intercontinental Champion at 56!
WHOOO!
Honky Tonk Man held that until the Warrior wasted him in the late 80s. Then he lost it to Ravishing Rick who was my Mums favourite wrestler for some reason.
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@mariner4life said in Longevity in sport:
The Nature Boy was the Intercontinental Champion at 56!
WHOOO!
It’s spelled “WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”
(As many “o”’s and exclamation points as you like, but there’s no “h,” not even three of them.)
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@mn5 said in Longevity in sport:
Ravishing Rick who was my Mums favourite wrestler for some reason.
Clearly a woman of refined taste. She had no time for fat, out of shape, sweathogs.
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Ted Williams — that’s “Teddy Ballgame” to you; “The Splendid Splinter” to everybody else — won a batting title at age 40. Not bad for a guy who’d already served in two wars. Still the greatest hitter who ever lived.
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@salacious-crumb said in Longevity in sport:
@mn5 said in Longevity in sport:
Ravishing Rick who was my Mums favourite wrestler for some reason.
Clearly a woman of refined taste. She had no time for fat, out of shape, sweathogs.
Rick Rude was a pretty legitimate tough guy in real life too apparently. He gave the Ultimate Warrior a hiding backstage.
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@salacious-crumb speaking of baseball. Nolan 'The Express' Ryan pitched in Major League Baseball until he was almost 47. He played til 1993 having debuted in the 1960s. One of the best pitchers of all time.
