Hoketsu becomes oldest athlete to qualify for London 2012 Olympic Games at 70

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Hoketsu becomes oldest athlete to qualify for London 2012 Olympic Games at 70
Hiroshi Hoketsu, who is Japanese athlete 70 years of age, has earned himself the honour of qualifying to take part in the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Japanese athlete has surprised many in the sporting world by being eligible to take part in the equestrian event of the Olympic Games at an unexpected age.
The Japanese athlete made it into the London 2012 Olympic Games after taking part as well as winning an international dressage equestrian event that took place in France on Thursday of the previous week. According to the Japanese Equestrian Fede­ration,
Hoketsu was riding the dressage on Whisper, his 15-year-old horse. Hoketsu as well as Whisper had made their mark by coming at the top of the Asia-Oceania rankings for the individual dressage event.
In the event that the Japanese athletes takes part in the upcoming Olympic Games, it would not be the first time that Hoketsu will be showcasing his skills in any Olympic event. The first Olympic that Hoketsu took part in was way back in 1964 with the host
city being Tokyo.
Hoketsu also appeared in the last Olympic Games when he was 67 years of age. Having done so, Hoketsu became the oldest athlete that was taking part in any Olympic event. Not only that, he was the oldest athlete ever to represent Japan in its Olympics history.
Despite the fact that Hoketsu has been able to bag the Olympic qualifier event, it has not been finalised whether he would actually be taking part in the London 2012 Olympic Games. The news will be broken by the Japanese equestrian officials but it has not
yet been revealed when the decision on the participation of Hoketsu in the Olympic Games will be taken.
By the time that the London 2012 Olympic Games begin on July 27, the Japanese athlete will be 71 years of age.
Hoketsu commented on his qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games in the following manner while talking to the Sports Hochi daily, “To put it pompously, it was a miracle. Last summer, I thought it would be impossible to make London, so it fills me with
deep emotions.”