Hiroshi Hoketsu and his horse, Whisper, are competing in the London Olympic games.
Hiroshi Hoketsu, an equestrian from Japan, first rode his horse in the Olympic games in 1964. This summer, almost half a century later, he’s returning to the ring at the London Olympics.
Last week, Hoketsu qualified for the Games, along with his 15-year-old horse, Whisper. Both rider and horse have a few years on most of their competitors, but they’re not bothered by that fact.
Whisper is “a little bit old, but still a good age,” Hoketsu told the Associated Press. He rode the horse in the 2008 Beijing Games, and was worried that he wouldn’t have a chance to compete with her again because the horse had suffered from tendonitis over the past year. Fortunately, Hoketsu managed to find a great veterinarian to get her back on track—and back in the ring.
Hoketsu isn’t quite eligible for the Oldest Olympian award—at least not this time around. Oscar Swahn, a Swedish shooter who competed in the 1920 Games at 72, still holds that title.
However, if Hoketsu qualifies for yet another Olympic Games in four more years, the title’s likely to be his for the taking. Hopefully, Whisper will be along for the ride as well.