A number of top athletes have become famous at a very young age because the most watched sports are based on explosive speed, ferocity and dynamic strength. 35 is the age when many athletes retire. Nevertheless, there are sports in which almost anyone, if they have enough willpower, can become among the top, even if they start at a later age. Let's take a look at what sports you can successfully engage in even after your 35th birthday and perhaps even qualify for Olympics.
Long distance running
With enough talent, discipline, and luck to avoid injury, as well as enough funds for equipment and supplements, it is possible to achieve great success in long-distance running later in life. It is often said that the longer the distance, the less age is a determining factor.
That's why we can even have older competitors at marathons and ultramarathons, and they often don't do badly at all. Of course, age is an obstacle in speed-based sports, but it is much less of an obstacle in long-distance running. For example Cliff Young took up ultramarathon running at the age of 61 and immediately won the first race he participated in.
Archery
Quite a few athletes started practicing archery after their 30th or even 40th birthdays and still managed to qualify for the Olympic Games. Taking up archery at a young age is certainly an advantage, but with natural talent, the sport can be taken up at virtually any age.
Sport shooting
Similar to archery, athletic ability is not a limiting factor. With enough talent and time for training, it is possible for even an adult to be able to shoot his way to the top of the world at an advanced age. For example, David Kostelecký, who was born in 1975, still collects medals at prestigious international competitions.
Curling
As with many other sports, the number of hours you spend playing is extremely important in curling. In a certain way, going to work disrupts the path to the world's extra class. But curling is certainly one of the sports where players are not limited by traditional athletic abilities.
Golf
Golf is one of those sports where it might be worth considering whether or not even a good result on the Senior Tour is considered an acceptable achievement. After all, playing from a young age brings an incredible advantage, especially when it comes to experience and muscle memory. However, there are several documented examples of golfers taking up the game after their 30th or 40th birthdays and making it all the way to the Senior Tour.
Yachting
Even in yachting, there were people who started this sport only after their thirties, but still managed to get to the Olympic Games and succeeded in other prestigious competitions. John Dane III, for example, competed in the 2008 Olympics at the age of 58. However, this sport, in addition to a number of other limiting factors, requires huge financial investments. In fact, it is one of the most expensive.
Swordplay
Probably everyone would disagree with the fact that it is possible to succeed in fencing even at an advanced age. It is certainly more likely in the cord than in the saber or fleurette, which are generally thought to be more dependent on speed.
Triathlon
Although athletic ability is important here, triathlon is similar to long distance running because the explosive speed handicap is not an obstacle in longer triathlons. A certain foundation in any part of triathlon, or rather in all of them, is certainly not harmful. In addition, funding is needed for buying a suitable bike. A number of top triathletes did not start this sport until they were in their thirties.
Poker
Many people may not agree that poker is a real sport. At the same time, there was quite a serious debate about his inclusion in the Olympic Games. However, many people will agree that this is not just a game based on chance, because every game at the top level requires great combination skills and incredible emotional control. Poker has its own world championship and many players play it professionally. The good news is that you can start at pretty much any time and still have a chance to break through to the top. Such as Andre Akkari, who was born in 1974 and achieved his greatest success in 2011, not long after he became more involved in poker. It is still among the world's best.
Sport fishing
International competitions in sport fishing even have several disciplines, and rather than physical fitness, experience and the right instincts are important. The most successful sports fishermen, especially in the USA, become real celebrities. Adequate physical and mental activity is appropriate at any age and it must be remembered that sport is done for health and for pleasure, the self-serving pursuit of success does not make much sense. On the other hand, it is a pleasant cherry on the cake that crowns an honest approach to training and healthy competition.
