From volleyball courts to soccer fields across Japan, gray-haired grannies are keeping in shape through team competition, heeding the advice of fitness experts who say it's never too late to begin playing sports.
In addition to the merits of moderate exercise deemed necessary to stay healthy, senior citizens engaging in competitive sports also enjoy the company of their teammates.
At a volleyball practice in Osaka in September, members of Team Ren (Lotus) — all in their 70s, and most with 30 to 40 years of experience in the sport — were in heavy training ahead of a national championship. They had recently won a tourney in the city among 10 teams with members aged 70 or above.