Meet the 70-year-old Pensioners Pumping their Way to the World Bodybuilding Finals (Photos)

The world's oldest muscle men who are over 70-years, have shown that age is no limit...but their body obsessions can have health consequences.

Ageless: The over-70 bodybuilders show off their physiques

 

The world's oldest muscle men in photos released online, show that old age isn't all about tea, biscuits and putting your feet up in front of the telly as the 70-plus pensioners are competing for their place in the fiercely competitive World Bodybuilding Finals.

 

While joking about his impressive trophy collection full of super-toned male statues, 79-year-old world champion, Eric Dower, from Bangor in Northern Ireland, who is the ultimate man to beat on the circuit, says: "To me that's what a man should look like, it's fantastic. Not everyone's cup of tea, but there you go. And as the female would say, nice ass."

 

Jimmy is a former champion

 

With only a year to go until the finals in Miami, the ageing athletes are training hard to get into tip-top shape. That means daily weights sessions in the gym and a strict diet of lean meat and rice with a ban on sugar, salt and fat.

 

73-year-old former world champion and international gymnast Jimmy Bennie, is certainly feeling the pressure. With a girlfriend 16 years his junior and glamorous image to maintain, Jimmy says his secret to youthful looks is baby lotion.

 

Roger has been practising his moves at home

"I've been using this for nearly 45 years on my face and a wee tip as well is to put it through the hair – make yourself look like a youngster and a million dollars."

 

But losing his world championship status to Eric last year has dented the plumber's confidence. "You can't get any better than world champion, it goes without saying," says Jimmy, from Grangemouth in Scotland.

 

Ronnie the bodybuilder

 

73-year-old bodybuilding hopeful, Roger Thomas, who needs the real confidence boost, came third in the senior category at the British Natural Bodybuilding Championship in Manchester in 2012, but is still a novice compared to his rivals.

 

"I think I've pushed my body to the maximum," he admits. "People think at 70 years and older you should be sat watching television or reading books or whatever, but this is different. I don't look wee bad for 70."

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UNICAL woos Navy on maritime studies

Authorities of the University of Calabar, Cross River State, have urged the Nigerian Navy to collaborate with the institution on maritime studies.

The UNICAL Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu, made the appeal when he led a delegation to the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command in Calabar on Monday. The Flag Officer Commanding, ENC, Rear Admiral James Oluwole, received the delegation.

According to him, such collaboration in terms of knowledge and experience will help the university and the Navy to exploit the enormous advantages in the maritime sector.

Akpagu also sought the cooperation of the force in checking hoodlums that had taken advantage of the porous water boundary of the institution to perpetuate criminal activities on campus.

He said, “We want to woo the command to collaborate with the institution in the area of Marine Studies. The university already has an Institute of Oceanography and it is strategically located within the coastal area.

“Such collaboration will help the university and the command to exploit the enormous advantages of marine economy and this will be profitable through the knowledge and wealth of experience of each partner in achieving this objective.

“UNICAL is already collaborating with the Cape Peninsula University in South Africa. There is the need to collaborate with the Eastern Naval Command to achieve its objective. As federal institutions, both the university and Eastern Naval Command must work together to foster growth and harmony for an enduring economy.

“The security threat from kidnappers who recently came in through the Qua River to kidnap three persons residing in the staff quarters and encroachment on the university land by host communities are the recent threats which have left the management with much to be desired.

“We are therefore appealing to the Navy through the FOC to step up their marine patrol team. We have equally informed other security agencies of the menace.”

Responding, Oluwole said the Navy was already in talks with the Cyprus University for the establishment of a Naval University of Science, Arts and Marine Studies in order to actualise the dream of intellectual leap in the marine economy.

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