Old folks rule!!!!

[sabreur]

Andre Agassi just made the quarterfinals of the US Open.

Podzniakov was second in world rankings last year, and Tarantino (who's actually a year older than Podz) was ninth. Both are over thirty.

Do you root for athletes, just because they are over thirty? I think it is a sign of having acquired a certain maturity....

MR

[Zilverzmurfen]

Ha, André Agassi is but a baby!


I don't root for us +30's in general just for being +30, but it's always inspiring to see them 'up there' knowing that some of them have been doing <insert sport according to taste> since sometimes before their opponents were even born.

(And yes, that was an unusually long sentence! )

[veeco]

Hah, I always root for the very young guns, or for the older guys. I guess I have something for underdogs, like most people!

[fencergal33]

Ahhhhh....hope for the future!!! Sometimes I go to tournaments and feel like a grandma (even though I'm only 27!). My husband however, made the final 8 in Div. 2 men's foil at nationals a few years ago, and he looked like a cub scout master!!!! He'd been fencing since before the other 7 guys were born!!!

[Inquartata]

Actually, I think it's awfully unfair for older folks to acquire the advantages of experience and wisdom AND maintain the physical abilities of youth. It's just not right, when the kids have to make do with just the latter...

[Mauler]

And of course, not too long ago (only a couple of decades ago) I seem to recall just about everyone on the top 8 of any international Sabre event being "old timers" -- upper-30's.

[Aestro]

Actually, I think it's awfully unfair for older folks to acquire the advantages of experience and wisdom AND maintain the physical abilities of youth. It's just not right, when the kids have to make do with just the latter...

oh dear, it seems ol' Inqy is finally going senile

[KD5MDK]

It takes years to learn to act.

[edew]

When I was younger, I rooted for the young ones against the established players, like Monica Seles against Martina Navratilova. Then, when I got older, I rooted for the older folks like Martina (and Seles) against the young'uns like the Williams sisters or Davenport and such.

Same with fencing.

Basically, I root for my age-group. Unless they're fencing me, in which case I won't root for them.

[Inquartata]

It takes years to learn to act.

Someone tell Dakota Fanning and Haley Joel Osment.

[alewive]

I got tired of sitting on the sidelines and watching my kids having all the fun, so started myself -- today, at 40+. Going to regional torunaments and Nationals and seeing all the "old folks" compete really did it for me. I've learned so much by observing and listening to a great coach for several years that I feel like I already have an advantage. I swear I was doing footwork in my sleep before I ever stepped on a strip!

[Welted 24/7]

I think the rash of people going to world championships before they're out of puberty has kinda skewed the perception of what an "old-timer" actually is. I recall reading an article that referred to Dan Kellner as a "wily old veteran." Wily and veteran he may be, but he's not even 30 yet.

[Inquartata]

I swear I was doing footwork in my sleep before I ever stepped on a strip!

No, that's called Restless Leg Syndrome.

[alewive]

No, that's called Restless Leg Syndrome.

...hmmm...or perhaps thousands of people are actually taking prescription drugs to treat their unfulfilled desire to fence!

[Fencergrl]

...hmmm...or perhaps thousands of people are actually taking prescription drugs to treat their unfulfilled desire to fence!

shhhh.... Canada is raking in a fortune in selling prescription drugs to Americans...

[Inquartata]

We'll get the money back when Bush finally gets around to conquering Canada for its oil sands.

[Fencergrl]

We'll get the money back when Bush finally gets around to conquering Canada for its oil sands.

Hmmm who do you think is supplying his drugs??? Let's see.... what drug should we send him THIS week???

[jspierre]

I love to see the older athletes come out strong, and smart and win or just compete with heart and soul. Think of George Blanda all those years late in his life or Jimmy Connors at his last US Open or even that year that John Elway won the Super Bowl. An "old" QB commanding the troops in a pro game is something special to watch.

With training advances, and commitment to fitness, I see older athletes as a very clear demographic in the U.S. Someone told me that there's no 40's age bracket in Vet/Masters fencing in Europe because 40 year old epee guys still are still formidable even on the senior circuit. John Moreau is in his 50's and was nat. champ just a couple of years ago!

In fencing, while there's been a youth movement, the "older" pro's are also something special to watch like Kolobkov or Pozniakov. And you know, they'd whip many a younger fencer's butt around fencing clubs pretty much anywhere in the world.

Peter Westbrook still does a number on guys around the FC.

[sabreur]

Someone told me that there's no 40's age bracket in Vet/Masters fencing in Europe because 40 year old epee guys still are still formidable even on the senior circuit.

They told you wrong. In fact, most Vet events here has a "special" bracket, for people who are between 30 and 40.

That being said, I generally prefer to fence open events, rather than Vet events, although the quality of the Vet events is getting better all the time (or maybe I'm getting older and worse all the time....)

MR

[JEC]

Agassi did it again coming from 2 sets down to win the next 3 sets.