A sprightly 88-year-old man from West Wickham showed age was no barrier when he competed in a major indoor rowing event, even impressing some of GB’s elite para-rowers.
Maurice Cox, a retired customs and excise officer, was cheered on by a 3,000-strong crowd at the Mizuno British Rowing Indoor Championships at London 2012’s Olympic velodrome.
He was the oldest competitor at the event, which saw 2,400 entries across 140 heats, but he showed grit and determination to finish the 500m race in a respectable 02:25.
“I felt a bit overawed when I first came into the arena and saw all the rowing machines and the crowd,” Maurice said afterwards. “But I am glad I did it. I have enjoyed being here.”
Mr Cox was the only person in his 85-89-year-old age category, a situation he hopes will now change.
“I would encourage everybody, young and old, to try indoor rowing. It is hard work but it exercises a lot of the body. I had no idea I would be any good at it when I first started about twenty years ago. I just want to keep going with the sport.”
It was a heart attack in 1998 that prompted the widower to go to the gym. His doctors had advised him to do some exercise and he went along to nearby Calso Health and Fitness Club. The owner Gary persuaded him to try the indoor rowing machine and he has never looked back.
He now goes to the club twice a week with his son David and has since competed in six races, the last being in 2012. “I heard about this event and spoke to my son and Gary and they were 100 per cent behind me taking part."
A handful of others joined Maurice in the 80s category, including two 84-year-olds from Devon and Twickenham, and an 81-year-old from Surrey, who was the oldest woman taking part.
The sprightly seniors impressed GB’s top para-rowers, who were also competing at the indoor championships, as part of the selection process for the Paralympics in Tokyo next year.
Laurence Whiteley, 28, reigning PR2 double mixed scull World and Paralympic champion, said: “Some of the people here are in their 80s. If I am half as fit as they are at their age, then I am doing incredibly well.”
His rowing partner Lauren Rowles, 21, who broke the PR2 women’s 2k British record at the event, was also full of praise. “They, like us, are here to challenge themselves. I think it is brilliant,” she said. A total of three World records, 10 British records and 60 Championship records were broken during the event on Saturday, December 7.
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