Top 5 sportspersons still competitive at an old age
Almost every year, we witness the rise of a new star, who through his supreme talent and determination, performs at a phenomenal level and takes the world by storm. But, there are only very few of them who are able to maintain this excellent form over a long period of time.
Rarer too are those, who still remain competitive at such a stage in their life when their contemporaries are much younger than them. These exceptional individuals stand out from the rest, as even against a much younger opposition they more than held their own and thus have cemented their status amongst the absolute all time greats of their respective sports disciplines.
For this list, five exceptional players from different sports have been selected, all of whom still remain competitive even at an age at which others have either retired or their performances have considerably dwindled.
#5 Misbah-ul-Haq – Cricket
Misbah-ul-Haq, the middle order batsman from Pakistan, through his explosive yet steady batting, has helped his team recover from several near losses.
Despite making his international debut in 2002, it was only in the late 2000s, that Misbah was able to cement his place in the team, but once he had done so, he became one of the most consistent aspects of the Pakistan Cricket Team. Moreover, the fact that he has been able to maintain his fitness and form even in his 40s provides enough evidence about the quality player Misbah has become.
His performances reached their peak during the 2013-14 season when he was in his late 30s. He, in fact, finished 2013 as the highest run-getter in ODI format while also scoring a record breaking 15 ODI fifties during the year. The following year, he had an impressive Test record, in which he scored four centuries including scoring the fastest century ever, against Australia in just 56 balls.
In addition to all the above, he is also regarded as one of the greatest captains in Pakistan’s cricket history, leading the team to victory in numerous away series’, including the Asia Cup in 2012. Retiring only last year from ODIs and in 2012 from T20, Misbah continues to captain the national test squad, which is slated to tour England for a four-match Test series in July this year.