A 66-year-old equestrian may be Japan’s oldest Olympic representative. Hiroshi Hoketsu, who turns 67 next month, last took part in an Olympics at the 1964 Tokyo Games where he finished 40th in the show jumping event.

The Japan Equestrian Federation’s Azusa Kitano, said, ‘It is more than likely Mr Hoketsu will take part in Beijing. He will be in the team dressage. He hasn’t been at an Olympics since 1964, which was 44 years ago, but he has continued riding all this time.’

For a totally amazing effort one needs to look at the Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn who won his sixth Olympic medal at the 1920 Antwerp Games at the age of 72 years and 280 days.

Hiroshi Hoketsu is based in Germany and switched from show jumping to the far less physically demanding dressage in his 30s.

Japanese Olympic chief Tsunekazu Takeda said, ‘He’s the most experienced man we’ve got. He’s up at 5 a.m. every day. He’s what horse riding is all about. I want to congratulate him with all my heart.’

Hoketsu even has a fair chance of participating in the individual competitions on his horse Whisper if he can maintain his top-100 international ranking.
Source: Reuters