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Japanese equestrian defies Father Time as the oldest competitor at London Olympics
Yahoo ^ | 07/28/12 | Martin Rogers

Posted on 07/28/2012 12:32:29 PM PDT by DFG

The oldest competitor at the 2012 Olympic Games has revealed the extraordinary sacrifices he has made in order to remain a medal contender well past retirement age.

Hiroshi Hoketsu, who will represent Japan in the equestrian discipline of dressage at the age of 71, told Yahoo! Sports how chasing a slice of history and becoming the oldest Olympian in the last 92 years is the result of a fanatical commitment to the sport.

(Excerpt) Read more at sports.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Japan; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: equestrian; hoketsu; japan; olympics

1 posted on 07/28/2012 12:32:42 PM PDT by DFG
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To: DFG

Dressage is, fortunately, a sport and art form one can pursue into great age, even after one is no longer capable of walking.


2 posted on 07/28/2012 12:57:57 PM PDT by ottbmare (The OTTB Mare)
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To: DFG

Great story!


3 posted on 07/28/2012 2:14:09 PM PDT by livius
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To: DFG
After hanging up his business suit and briefcase, Hoketsu still had the itch to compete and entered the world of competitive dressage at his wife's insistence.

Classic story. Guy retires and the wife gets tired of him hanging around the house in her way. Regardless, best of luck to him.

4 posted on 07/28/2012 2:21:52 PM PDT by newheart (At what point does policy become treason?)
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To: DFG; maikeru; Dr. Marten; Eric in the Ozarks; Al Gator; snowsislander; sushiman; AmericanInTokyo; ..
Here's a Japanese horse-riding sport that should be Olympic: YABUSAME (yah-boo-sah-meh)

日本 ピング  (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)

5 posted on 07/28/2012 2:27:17 PM PDT by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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To: DFG

Good for him!


6 posted on 07/28/2012 2:37:51 PM PDT by SuziQ
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To: DTogo

What breed of horse did the warriors use back then. I’m curious.


7 posted on 07/28/2012 2:47:04 PM PDT by Conservative4Ever (The Obamas = rude, crude and socially unacceptable)
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To: Conservative4Ever
Don't know, but (obviously by the pictures) it is still practiced today. Had the pleasure of seeing it up close (rope-side) at the base of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura, one of my favorite towns to visit.
8 posted on 07/28/2012 2:59:43 PM PDT by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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To: DFG

Yes, but how old is his horse?


9 posted on 07/28/2012 4:10:53 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: DTogo; All
thxs, for the post/ping.
armed/mounted horse archery.. how kewl is that! :-)

10 posted on 07/29/2012 12:32:08 AM PDT by skinkinthegrass (WA DC E$tabli$hment; DNC/RNC/Unionists...Brazilian saying: "$@me Old $hit; different flie$". :^)
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To: DTogo; All
thxs, for the post/ping.
armed/mounted horse archery.. how kewl is that! :-)

11 posted on 07/29/2012 12:32:28 AM PDT by skinkinthegrass (WA DC E$tabli$hment; DNC/RNC/Unionists...Brazilian saying: "$@me Old $hit; different flie$". :^)
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To: BenLurkin; DTogo
"Yes, but how old is his horse?"
to the point; it ain't no polo pony. ;-)
imagine 16th century mounted Japanese
warrior bearing down on you during a duel...
your really are alone.

12 posted on 07/29/2012 7:04:44 AM PDT by skinkinthegrass (WA DC E$tabli$hment; DNC/RNC/Unionists...Brazilian saying: "$@me Old $hit; different flie$". :^)
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