Record-Breaking Athletes Over 55 at Huntsman World Senior Games

This blog post was originally published on betheredothat.hylands.com.

As the Huntsman World Senior Games are in their second week, some events are coming to an end. We had an opportunity to speak with a few athletes after their events to see what keeps them going.

NZ Bryant: World Record Holder at the Huntsman World Senior Games
Age: 62
Events: 50M, 100M, 400M

This is NZ’s first time at the games. After seeing an ad in the National Master’s News, he decided to sign up for Huntsman’s Track and Field competitions. “It’s a world class event, competitors from all over the world compete at the Huntsman World Senior Games and it gives me the chance to compete on a global level.” Said NZ.

NZ competes in mostly National events and indoors. He says, he did not work out any extra for the events, but lives a pretty active and healthy lifestyle. He attends spinning classes and does yoga and Pilates two to three times a week.

NZ placed first in all of his competitions, and even broke a Huntsman world record in the 50M Run. He is positive he will be back next year.

Barbara (BJ) Gicquel, Huntsman Hall of Famer
Age: 72
Events: All the Road Cycling, Team Triathlon

Barbara has been Overall Champion in her Division at Huntsman World Senior Games for 9 years, with 8 Overall Champion Jerseys to show for it. She started riding in 1997 after Endurance Riding with horses, and she began racing bikes in 2002. “I used to smoke, [so] I wanted more aerobic exercise to keep my lungs as fit as possible. I bought a cheap bike and started to climb the steep road near my home,” Barbara says.

Barbara has many accomplishments under her belt and stays very active. She has competed in the Senior Nationals five times, winning four Gold Medals at Texas Nationals 2011, competed in the California Games/ Bay Area and Pasadena, 9 years running, and was the cover girl for Active Over 50 Magazine, 2011.

When asked what keeps her coming back to the Huntsman World Senior Games, she says: “The races motivate me to work out year round. I like feeling like a kid. The Huntsman Games in particular, though, are the best in the Nation. Great races, great camaraderie, gorgeous country and beautiful people.”

This year at the Huntsman World Senior Games, Barbara was inducted into the Huntsman World Senior Games Hall of Fame.

Zelma Fennell
Age: 65
Events: 400 Meter and Javelin

Zelma is in her 5th year at the Huntsman World Senior Games. “I started with Softball with the Santa Cruz Blues Brakers, and they asked me if I wanted to do Track and Field,” Zelma says. “I don’t train every day, but I do bike, walk and play Softball regularly in my community.”

Zelma is trying to stay in shape. She wants to be an inspiration to her friends and family in Mississippi: “Most of them are suffering from hypertension and diabetes; I just want them to be healthy.”

Zelma wants to thank the Huntsman World Senior Games for giving Senior Athletes the opportunity to continue to be healthy, active and competitive. “I didn’t want to sit in a chair and wait to die,” she says.

Zelma has eight grandchildren who are all in sports and support her wholeheartedly.