Idman.biz
Every year, various areas of sports are becoming more and more youthful: children are being drawn into sections at an earlier age, and teenage athletes often win international competitions. For example, the age limit for entering major sports in figure skating has been gradually increased – first to 16 years, and from the 2024/25 season to 17 years. This decision is also related to protecting the physical and psychological health of athletes.
So, what should those who decide to start sports at a relatively late age do?
Idman.Biz has prepared a list of sports that can be practiced professionally even after the age of 35. At the same time, it is important to note that this is partly the subjective view of the editorial board, and sports results at any age depend on many factors – training regime, physical fitness, genetics, and the conditions for the development of sports in the country.
Shooting – whether with firearms or archery – is considered one of the most accessible sports in terms of starting out. This field also requires preparation, attention, and psychological stability, but age is not always a major obstacle here. A shining example is Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikeç. In 2024, at the Paris Olympics, he won a silver medal in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event. At that time, he was 51 years old and became Turkey's oldest Olympic medalist.
Chess can also be included in this list. Although teenagers often win in this game, such matches raise discussions about the differences between generations. The youngest grandmaster in history, Abhimanyu Mishra from the USA, earned this title at the age of 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days. However, it is also possible to start playing chess as an adult and participate in tournaments. Although this does not mean immediately reaching the elite level, it is quite a realistic goal to develop, win tournaments, and advance step by step.
Some sports are more often associated with mature people – for example, billiards and golf. In these sports, strategy, accuracy, composure, and coordination come to the fore. Golf is also an Olympic sport. An example of this is American golfer Jim Albus. He turned professional at the age of 28, achieved his main successes after the age of 50, and continued to compete even after the age of 60.
In physically more demanding sports, it is usually more difficult for adults to start from scratch, because it is not easy to compete with those who started at an early age. These types are more suitable for those who already have a sports base or who are transitioning from another field. In such cases, it is advisable to prefer sports such as cycling, long-distance running, triathlon, and rowing, where endurance and discipline are important. In rowing, there are quite a few athletes who have come from other fields and achieved serious results. For example, two-time Olympic champion Helen Glover.
It is also necessary to separately note strength and contact sports: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, bodybuilding, and powerlifting. In these areas, systematic training, technique, and recovery processes are more important than an early start. For people with physical fitness and a correct approach to training, starting late is not considered a problem.
There are also areas that are not so popular for Azerbaijan, but offer good career opportunities: bowling, sports orienteering, darts, and sports fishing. Although these are relatively niche areas, there is also a competitive environment here and the opportunity to rise to international competitions.
Finally, one of the fastest growing areas in modern times is e-sports. Here, reaction, attention, stability, as well as high-quality equipment and a serious training approach play a big role. With the right approach, it is possible to achieve serious results in this area as well.
Overall, the main issue for adults is not age, but how much time, energy, and patience they are willing to devote to training. If the motivation is strong enough, age becomes one of the factors to consider rather than an obstacle.
