(REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)Former bodybuilder Claude Maphosa founded the boxing program for senior women about four years ago and now works as their coach. "I've never trained somebody that old," he told the BBC. "I've always thought they're fragile, only to realize that there's more to them, and there's more to what they wanted to do. So I gave them the opportunity, and they ended up training me instead of me training them because their energy level was just too high."Research shows exercise improves muscle strength and slows bone density loss in older people. It can also lead to a cornucopia of positive health benefits for the elderly, from reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer, to mitigating the effects of anxiety and depression."I like boxing. Whenever I train, I feel younger. I don't get pains. I feel good," said 75-year-old Zodwa Twala. "I'll never quit."Below, check out these tough grannies as they duke it out and defy expectations of what elderly people can do.
(REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
(REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
(REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
(REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
(REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarrayIn the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliamentTHE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysisIn Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
