How Older Athletes From Kerala Are Breaking Stereotypes & Winning Medals

Four older athletes from Kerala are regular winners at sporting events for senior citizens and tell us what keeps them going.

Sports and activities are a good way to keep yourself mentally, socially and physically away from the weakening conditions of old age. There is abundant research supporting the need to be physically active during your older years. Meet four veteran sportspersons from Kerala who are shining examples of that. For them, age is not a barrier. Their sheer dedication and hard work have won them numerous accolades in various sporting events organised for seniors. 

“I want to do this as long as I am able to, I am really looking forward to growing older and winning more medals!”

That’s Sebastian Kadalikattil, a retired professor of Botany from Kottayam who came out triumphant along with another veteran swimmer Kurian Jacob in the 2023 European Masters Games in Finland. Sebastian won two gold medals and a silver in the 50-metre, 100-metre butterfly and relay competitions in the 80-84 age group. Like many others of his generation, Sebastian learnt to swim at a young age in a nearby river. His first participation in a Masters event was in his hometown Pala, Kottayam after retirement in 2011. He won the swimming competition at that event and since then has participated in and won medals across various meets. Watching people of much older age groups actively getting involved in the competition has kept him motivated. Sebastian and Kurian were the only Indians of their age group who were at the European Masters event in Finland, both overjoyed about representing India. “Growing old is inevitable but being physically active makes ageing easier; even a 10-minute swim a day is very invigorating.” says a cheery Sebastian, who is encouraged to continue by his family of four sons and a daughter.  

Retired banker Kurian Jacob is from Kottayam too and has loved swimming ever since he could remember. His childhood days were spent wading in the fast-flowing river in front of his home. A water polo victory in a university sports competition sowed a lifelong interest and competitive spirit in him for sports. In the European Masters Games 2023 held in Tampere, Finland, Kurian bagged various medals in the 70-74 age group. He won three silver medals in the 800-metres, 400-metre and 100-metre freestyle along with bronze medals in the 4+50 medley relay and 4+50 freestyle swimming races. Kurian first heard about Masters championships in 2019 and from then has participated and won approximately 50 medals at state, national and international levels.

He attributes his fitness to intermittent fasting.

“It has really helped me along with the six days a week swimming I do regularly. Not only does it keep me active physically it has also enhanced my mood!”

Kurian enjoys fermentation and cooking in his leisure time and his kombucha is much loved in his close circles. He lives in Kottayam with his wife Sunnu. Both his daughters reside overseas and are very supportive.

Sebastian and Kurian feel senior athletes need more encouragement. The duo plan to write to the state Ministry of Finance in Kerala to suggest the idea of offering cash awards to those who won medals at national and international levels. They feel this would incentivise many hardworking athletes as travel expenses are a lot to bear by themselves.

Vasanthi Vijayan cannot miss the 4 am walk that she does every day as part of her fitness regime. She has loved athletics since childhood and used to take part in school sports events secretly as her dad didn’t support it. “At that time, girls going out or being involved in sports was frowned upon but I never cared for it,” says Vasanthi.

The love was further cemented when she worked at McDowell’s for 25 years and would take part and win in sports events hosted by the company. Going for Masters championships seemed a natural progression. In the Asian Meet of 2016 and 2017 held in Singapore and China, Vasanthi won silver medals in racing in the 70-74 age category. Even an accident and hospitalization in 2018 didn’t deter her from participating in sports meets. However, travel expenses are a burden for Vasanthi. Her three sons work as labourers and they, along with relatives and neighbours contributed to her travel fund which helped her go to the previous Asian meets. Vasanthi has no plans of giving up on her medal dreams.

Vasanthi Vijayan is trying to raise Rs 1.25 lakh for the forthcoming Asian meet in the Philippines in November 2023. If you are willing to contribute or share her story please email us at editor@silvertalkies.com and we will connect you to her.

Running and winning medals keeps Elsa CD, a retired Circle Inspector in Thrissur, Kerala, motivated and fun-loving. She won a bronze medal in Javelin throw, and three silver medals in the 200 metre, 100 metres and 400 metres at the National Masters Athletic Championship at Kolkata this year. Elsa made her debut at a Masters sports event in 1989, and from then on, has participated in nine Asian meets and four world meets along with multiple national and state meets. The countless medals she had acquired over the years are so many that they are kept in pots and pans at her house, she told this reporter lightheartedly.

“I usually get a physical checkup every time before I take part in an event. I exercise regularly at the stadium in the city to which I take the bus,” Elsa said when asked about her fitness routine.

She is also a Thrissur district champion in the All-Kerala Police meet. Funds are a problem for Elsa too and she has taken loans to finance her travels to competitive events. “Winning is my biggest motivation,” says Elsa who lives with her younger brother in Thrissur and plans to continue participating in sports events for senior citizens and winning medals with the same ease.

Good To Know: Senior citizens need to participate in Masters Athletics Championships. The Masters Athletic Federation of India is responsible for conducting these championships and selecting sports candidates from the ages of 35 and above for Asian and World meets. The federation is an extension of the governing body of World Masters Athletics. The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) is the governing body for aquatic sports in India and oversees the Masters swimming races. They are affiliated with the FINA Fédération Internationale de Natation and ASF Asian Swimming Federation. 

Athlete's and Swimmers' Images are courtesy of them

Cover image: Steven Lelham on Unsplash

Are you into sports? Have you participated in any competitive sports events in after the age of 50? Tell us about it in the comments below or email editor@silvertalkies.com