92-year-old man swears this single activity has helped him live a long, healthy life

A man who is 92 years old is not only still competing in his activity of choice, he’s teaching others the secrets of how to live a long, healthy and fulfilling life.Ivan Pedley, a retired toolmaker, plays ping-pong twice a week and said he has no plans to stop any time soon.The grandfather of three took up the paddle sport when he was 14, news agency SWNS reported.Now, 78 years later, he’s still playing.The retiree plays roughly 14 games a week at the Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club in Staffordshire, West Midlands, England.He often goes up against opponents who are much younger, SWNS said.And while he may have slowed down a bit over time, Pedley said he rarely gets knocked off the table and that success at the sport is all about “technique.”He said regular ping-pong playing helps him stay fit and healthy and that continuing to play it well into his senior years is the best thing he’s ever done.“I enjoy every minute of it,” said Pedley, who lives in Walsall, West Midlands.“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

I don’t know anyone older than 92 playing.” He said that while others who play might be “faster” than he is, “it’s all in the technique.”There are “a lot of people in their 60s” who play, he said, “but I play the younger people, too.I try to play everybody at the club.”“I’ll keep going for as long as I can, as long as my health stays.

Sitting on your backside is no help to anyone.”He said he first found his passion for ping-pong while he was a teenager and let it go for a while when he was in his 20s.But once he reached his 60s, he rediscovered his love of the sport after a chance game with a friend while on vacation, he said.He then started playing regularly again while also continuing to stay involved in bowling, swimming and judo.He’s a brown belt.Pedley said he believes he’s gotten better at ping-pong because of the standard of skill in those he’s playing against these days.He added, jokingly...