Moldovan veteran judoka, Mihail MALEAR, has a story that inspires athletes of all ages. He didn’t begin his judo journey until his early 60s but since he has spent nearly two decades mastering the martial art, defying age and embracing the sport with a fervour that rivals athletes half his age. His path to judo, however, started much earlier in another discipline: wrestling.
Before discovering judo, Mihail was an accomplished freestyle wrestler. Competing at an elite level, he secured a bronze medal at the Veteran World Wrestling Championships. However, as the rules of wrestling prevent competitors from continuing past the age of 60, Mihail was forced to step away from his first sporting love. Rather than ending his athletic career, he sought a new challenge and found it in judo.
Another reason I changed to judo is because it is more attractive to me, and I love it. Despite joining the family at a later stage, it is my life now. The uniform is appealing, and I love wearing the kimono. It’s also useful outside of the mat for self-defense. Since practicing judo, I feel safer walking in my town. I feel secure, strong, and confident. I don’t feel like I’m 81 years old.
The Allure of Judo
Mihail fast embodied the experience that judo is more than just a sport. He believes it stands above all martial arts because of its elegance and technical beauty. He is enamoured with the way judo balances physical and mental discipline. When asked if he regretted not starting earlier, Mihail responded with a mix of nostalgia and optimism.
Yes but at the same time, it allowed me to set aims, like living a longer life. I want to live to be 120 years old, and I aim to practice judo and compete until I am 90.
This commitment to longevity in the sport is backed by his impressive resume. Mihail has amassed 22 international medals in judo, including nine veteran European championship titles and eight veteran World Championship gold medals. His success is a testament to both his strong mentality and his determination.
A Daily Routine of Discipline
Mihail’s life is one of relentless discipline. Despite his age, his routine is rigorous, demonstrating the dedication that has made him such a successful athlete.
I wake up at 6 a.m. every day. I go to the park by 7 a.m., regardless of the weather, and train until 9 a.m. After that, I eat and sleep, and at 2 p.m., I have another training session in the dojo. I train five days a week and use the weekend to rest and recover.
In addition to his training regimen, Mihail walks 12 kilometres daily with his dog.
It is our daily goal together, – he says with a smile.
It’s Never Too Late
Mihail is a firm believer that age should not be a barrier to starting judo, or any sport for that matter. He encourages those in their 50s and 60s who may think it’s too late or potentially dangerous to give it a try.
Have a goal! If you don’t have a goal in life, you are not living. To practice judo, you need to have a strong soul and a desire to learn and improve. Without these drives, you cannot do judo.
He also wants to be a living example for others.
I want to show everybody that no matter how old you are, you can do it. Even if you are over 80 years old like me, it’s possible. If you want to live, don’t be afraid. Look at me, I’m not afraid. I’m here and I still have the desire to practice.
Mihail believes the judo community can do more to accommodate older participants. He advocates for more inclusive competition categories that reflect the growing number of veteran judoka.
For the health of the nation and in my own opinion, it would be ideal to create additional age divisions. Right now, it’s only categorized up to M9, which is 65-70 years old, and then there’s an ‘open’ category. But if you create more divisions, you could attract more people in my age range. Not everyone wants to fight someone 15 years younger than them, but if you give them the opportunity to fight within their own division, even for a shorter time like a 1 min fight, they will come. I promise, they will come. They love being part of the judo family and want to feel like they belong.
Preparing for the Next Challenge
Although Mihail won’t be competing in Hamburg this weekend, he is already preparing for his next big challenge: the Veteran World Judo Championships in Las Vegas, which will be held from 4-7 November 2024.
With his passion, dedication, and inspiring outlook on life, Mihail is proving that age is just a number. His story is a reminder to us all: it’s never too late to start something new, and with the right mindset, anything is possible.
Images: Mihail Malear
Author: Szandra Szogedi