Sports

Elite Athletes Who Shone Past Age 40

Darren - October 30, 2019

Sports

Elite Athletes Who Shone Past Age 40

Darren - October 30, 2019

5. George Foreman

Foreman is the oldest heavyweight boxing champion ever. The Olympic gold medalist turned professional in 1967. Who could have known that he’d be fighting until 1997? ‘Big George’ first won the heavyweight title in 1973 when he beat Joe Frazier. But he’d drop the belt to Muhammad Ali in ‘The Rumble in the Jungle.’

He retired for 10 years after becoming disillusioned with the sport. However, this elite talent couldn’t stay on the side. In 1995, Foreman knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer to win the unified WBA, IBF, and lineal titles. He was 45, the oldest heavyweight champion ever and the second oldest boxing champion behind Bernard Hopkins.

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4. Bernard Lagat

This man is a true freak of nature. Typically, as you get older, everybody’s bodies begin to slow down. For elite athletes like soccer players or runners, this can decimate your career. However, Lagat has defied the odds by continuing to race into his 40s. This just isn’t right.

Lagat is a five-time Olympian. His most recent appearance was in Rio De Janeiro. He’s a 13-time medalist in the World Championships and Olympics. Remarkably, he was 41 when he competed in Brazil. He also finished fifth out of 16 in the 5000m. To sum up, this was crazy for his age.

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3. Kazuyoshi Miura

Known as ‘King Kazu’ in his native Japan, Miura has an even bigger following there than David Beckham ever did in Great Britain. He currently plays for Yokohama FC in Japan’s J-League. This may seem unexceptional but Miura is 52 years old and first became a professional soccer player in 1986. Furthermore, the J-League is regarded as a top-tier competition.

The former Japanese international played 89 times for his country, making his last appearance back in 2000. He has the record for the oldest goal scorer in professional soccer when he scored against Thespalusatsu Gunma two seasons ago. Remarkably, he looks set to continue into the future.

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2. Bernard Hopkins

This man’s career just doesn’t make sense. Hopkins has a dark past that resulted in him spending time in jail. But he decided to change his life around. He became an elite boxer and the results were remarkable. In 2004 he became the undisputed world champion after beating Oscar De La Hoya.

Hopkins was the oldest boxer to hold a world title at the age of 46. He broke this record twice, winning the WBA (Super) title at the age of 49. This modern legend had a very cerebral style. He mastered the fundamentals and fought as a counterpuncher to preserve his longevity.

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1. Tom Brady

Brady is 42 and still going strong. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback is a true legend of the game. He has more Super Bowl wins than any other player with an incredible seven victories. Even more remarkable is the fact that the Patriots only drafted him in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft.

In short, that has proven to be the biggest steal in NFL history. Brady shone for the Patriots throughout an elite career. He has won five Super Bowl MVP awards, the most ever by a player, as well as three NFL MVP awards. Finally, at the age of 43, he also became the oldest player to win a Super Bowl. But he shows no signs of slowing down.

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Elite Athletes Who Shone Past Age 40

Elite Athletes Who Shone Past Age 40

5. George Foreman

4. Bernard Lagat

3. Kazuyoshi Miura

2. Bernard Hopkins

1. Tom Brady

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