Age is just a state of mind. This proves to be true for Mieko Nagaoka, the 18-time world record holder. Mieko Nagaoka is a Japanese swimmer who is defying everything we think about age and our abilities once we pass a certain age. After all, this wonderful lady is 99 years old!
While most of us consider taking up a competitive sport, such as, swimming, early in life, Mieko Nagaoka began swimming in her early 80s. She is one of the up-and-coming seniors who are giving the younger generation something to think about with regards to their stereotypical thinking process. According to sources, Japan has the world’s longest life expectancy of 84. However, Mieko Nagaoka and a few other seniors are proving them wrong. This lady does not believe in giving up. She believes in winning more gold medals and breaking world records. Impressive!
As with most retired seniors, Japanese seniors too find idleness dull and boring. This could be the reason why many Japanese retirees keep an active social life. Many still have the energy to spare and take part in vigorous, physical sports. Take for example, the PomPom Grannies. This is a cheerleading squad comprising of seniors over the ages of 67. According to PomPom Grannies’ 81 year old founder, the routines involved are not only just physical but also helps to keep their minds sharp. Can you imagine a number of little ladies carrying pompoms and dancing and prancing about?
The younger generation of Japan is finding it very difficult to adapt to all these active seniors. Most are still used to seeing senior citizens walking with the aid of canes! Japan, being a conservative country, has stereotyped the elderly as frail and feeble. They are quite bewildered by the new generation of seniors who are really giving them a run for their money.
Approximately a quarter of the Japanese population are 65 and over. Japan, recently,raised their retirement age from 60 to 65 to deal with the swelling pension costs.
Senior citizens, such as, Mieko Nagaoka and the PomPom Grannies are showing the world that age is just a state of mind. All the fuss about what senior citizens should do is maybe just the younger generation’s way of handling something they are not used to. We say, “Go for it”. Everyone, no matter how old, should enjoy life to the fullest.
