Too old to come Back?

[u/Double_Swordfish_225]

I am nearly 42. Im doing Judo since I was 8 years old and was a little above average. My Last regular fight was 10 years ago. Kids and the normal family life got me. 4 years ago I started a kids group in my village But did not train myeself. My physical status is as Bad as it could be. Asthma and normal things age brings with it. Now Infound there is an open Championship end of September (the one from which you can qualify to national championship. And Inam totaly hyped considering to participate once again. My current Wright class would be -100kg. What do you think? Totaly crazy or absolutely insane Idea?

[u/chupacabra5150]

Something something, didnt read it. Judo misses you. Get back in the mat.

[u/ImaginaryJellyfish48]

Not crazy at all, start slow and get back into it, you mentioned your physical status is bad so probably ease into things at first and don’t throw yourself into competition but there are loads of guys your age and even older at my dojo that just joined and are loving it. At the end of the day if you don’t enjoy it as much as you used to you don’t have to continue. Have fun and get back on the mat.

[u/cbraun11 → u/ImaginaryJellyfish48]

Please ease back into it!

• sincerely, dude who has Achilles tendonitis because I only go 100%, even after a long break.

[u/Psychological-Will29]

Nope we have 50-70s in my club still doing randori. Time to do some sprints, hit the weights and do more judo!

[u/Ill_Item_487]

One guy that's in my group is 50 years old and he's doing fine. Never too late for sports.

[u/Living-Chipmunk-87]

I'm 54, still go three times per week u less home life beckons. I am not in competion mode just yet but would surely love to do the old man's open when they are available. 

[u/OkTension669]

Go for it mate.. just take the pressure off yourself and enjoy it. Try to get a couple trows dialled in and go for it. Good luck. We are a long time retired

[u/Final-Albatross-82]

Too old for the olympics? Yes. Too old to win local comps? Who knows. Too old to train at all? Never

[u/bigsmelly_twingo]

Some people start at 42 years old, with no previous experience....

[u/adjgor]

Read only the headline, rest doesn't matter.

Come back!

Ps: to be a little more nuanced though, take your time to get back in. Light randori if any at all, don't go too hard on yourself trying to prove anything. It's all about consistency and being able to sustain a stable routine. If any young guys go too hard on you, tell them. If they don't listen, pick other partners. Just allow yourself to be an older guy (I'm like 10 years older than anybody at my dojo and my experience is that) everybody will respect that. They'll especially respect your decision to come back at all. Do it man!

[u/Otautahi]

42 isn’t old! You have a lot of experience to draw on.

Register for the September competition. It gives you some motivation to get back on the mats, but make a final decision about competing mid-September based on how you’re feeling about condition etc

[u/Pretty_Vegetable_156]

Like the other guy said, not reading your excuses just go back to Judo.

[u/small_pint_of_lazy]

Honestly, didn't bother reading all of this. I've still seen worse situations. You'll do fine, you have an idea of the sport and aren't the worst physical shape I've seen. I had a guy who started as an adult to lose weight (and because he was interested in the sport). He just got his black belt this year and has been coaching our beginners for a few years now. You can do it

[u/Leviter_Sollicitus]

Be honest with yourself about your physical condition and capabilities. Our tendons as we age weaken, our joints are less stable. Some more than others. You can pay a steep price if you go too hard too soon.

[u/Sasquatch458]

I restarted at 43. Get after it friend! Good luck!

[u/estrela_vermelha]

I know some 50-something that just returned to judo a month ago after stopping in 1991. We had to tell him we don’t do leg grabs anymore lol

[u/Thiccobama69]

Do not check his post history 😭😭

[u/justkeepshrimping]

I think you just called me old.

[u/max_trax]

Never to late. Had a guy I'd guess was at least 60-65 join class last week after 15 years off the mats or something.

[u/emperorsludge]

Start working and stop second guessing yourself.

[u/pasha_lis]

I think you are not old to come back, but probably not great to think you can compete in September. I came back to judo after 20 years not doing anything, and similar shape to what you are mentioning. When I started training 3 years ago I couldn't get through the warm up even. I decided to take it slow and build up. First year I managed to get through the class. Second year I decided to get back in shape. Now I'm in -81 (Used to fight -73 in my twenties). So, no, you are not old to be back on the tatami. but I wouldn't push it to perform at t a tournament in a month. But, it's up to you :)

[u/GlitteringWinter3094]

I’m 47 and took some time off after a knee surgery. You can’t train like you did when you were young. But the skills are still there and you’ll come back fast. Just know your limits.

[u/Jake_Lukas]

No.

So, I did Aikido constantly and Judo regularly for much of my 20's and 30's. Covid and life intervened. I'm around your age now, and my geographical options limit me.

So, I started doing BJJ just recently. I needed to get back to it. It's been years. It isn't Aiki and it isn't Judo. But, I can't tell you how much I miss the mat. Yeah, it's a struggle. I'm rolling with a bunch of guys 20 years younger than me who know this specific art much better than me. But it doesn't matter. I have enough years behind me that I'm not doing it for the ego boost. I'm learning and getting better. It's good.

If you're even considering it and can afford it, stop hesitating. Do it. Within a month you'll wonder why it took you so long.

All that being said, don't prioritize competition. Just get on the mat. Let those other things sort themselves.

[u/birrento]

Put you and your kids training judo. Go to the Championship cause clearly, you're already unqualified.

[u/Mammoth_Skin6337]

Not insane!! Go for it! We get a few older guys competing in junior tournaments too, more power to you I say! I’m a 51 year old judo mum and given half the chance I’d be on the mat too!