At 83 years old, retired João Henrique Rebelato is not thinking about abandoning sports competitions. A former swimmer and volleyball player, he found table tennis as a way to continue doing what he likes and maintain an active routine. Representing Bebedouro (SP), he is one of the participants in the Best Age Games (Jomi), held until Sunday (15) in Monte Alto (SP).
The competition brings together seniors who found sport to be much more than just a physical activity. For them, getting on the court means overcoming challenges, making new friends and showing that age is no impediment to continuing to seek achievements.
João Henrique says that he has been playing sports since childhood and that his passion for competitions has been with him for decades. In the Best Age Games alone, he has already participated in around ten years.
"I was a swimmer, I played volleyball, I went to college playing. And now I'm in table tennis. I've been in table tennis for some time now. I've also played table tennis since I was young. And I've been in Jomi for some time, about 10 years," he says.
João and Syrthes face each other in table tennis at the 2026 Best Age Games (Jomi) in Monte Alto, SP — Photo: Reproduction/EPTV
Active body and busy head
Retired Cleusa Minto, 79 years old, also doesn't give up on taking the court. A member of the adapted volleyball team in Ipuã (SP), she sees the sport as an opportunity to take care of her physical and mental health, in addition to enjoying moments of fun.
"I'm very happy, it's good for older people. It moves the body and head, it's good for that", he says.
For Syrthes Mendes, a table tennis competitor, the possibility of playing matches and facing opponents is a motivation to leave home and stay in good spirits.
It ensures that the competitive spirit remains present, even when the result is not what was expected.
"A very good activity for our age. We are inspired to compete and do something different at this age. It's better than staying at home, here we sweat and complain a little when we lose", he jokes.
Table tennis players during a match at the Best Age Games (Jomi) in Monte Alto, SP — Photo: Reproduction/EPTV
Opportunity to make friends
In addition to the search for victories, meetings between athletes from different cities are part of the experience.
At 63 years old, Francisco Casaleti, who represents Monte Alto, the city hosting the games, highlights coexistence with other participants as one of the main reasons for participating in the competition.
"I think the importance of the Jomi is that it adds a lot of things. You see a lot of people, you have a lot of contact. Therefore, we are participating, as the other says. Let's participate and let's be happy", he says.
Senior volleyball competitors at Jomi 2026 in Monte Alto, SP — Photo: Reproduction/EPTV
Almost 2 thousand participants
The 28th edition of the Best Age Games brings together 1,952 people, including athletes, managers and members of technical teams from 35 municipalities in the region. It is the first time that Monte Alto hosts the competition.
For the municipal secretary of Sports, João Felipe Monteiro Batista, hosting the games represents an opportunity to value senior athletes and boost the local economy.
"It's a great honor for us to be hosting a game as big as Jomi, which brings a lot of movement to our city and our commerce. And for us, as we are the birthplace of the Open Games, it's a privilege to have the satisfaction of hosting such an important game for seniors", he says.
Created in 1995 as Regional Elderly Games (Jori), the competition was renamed Best Age Games (Jomi) in 2022.
This year, participants compete in 15 sports: athletics, adapted 3x3 basketball, bocce, hole, choreography, checkers, ballroom dancing, dominoes, mesh, swimming, tennis, table tennis, truco, adapted volleyball and chess.
