In case the earlier post on Japanese rugby didn’t make you feel punchy enough, here’s another interesting story from the world of Japanese sports.
Just one week shy of her 45th birthday, Kazumi Izaki has become Japan’s oldest professional boxer after passing the sport’s licensing test. A former aerobics instructor, Izaki first took up the sport in 2001. Oh, did I mention she has two daughters aged 21 and 14?
Says Izaki:
“I’m a mum but I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. I wanted to show my children that if you give up, then you’re washed up!”
Interestingly enough, 46-year-old Hiroaki Yokota was the sport’s oldest boxer until he decided not to renew his license.
Just goes to show you that there is always hope for a second career later in life.
