Íñigo Elorza and Pedro Carpintero live more than 600 kilometers apart. The first in San Sebastián, the other in Girona. But they have known each other for years because the two formed—along with 5 other teammates—the first Spanish team of veteran judokas, the TM5. They won two bronze medals, one silver and also one gold. And they were about to go to the Veterans Olympics in 2020, which were held for the first time in Tokyo, but the pandemic cut short their plans, and the games were suspended.
On an individual level, the record is even more surprising. Elorza has been practicing judo since he was 6 years old, but it is now, at 60, that he is achieving the most success. He has six gold medals in European veterans championships, five silvers and three bronzes. And he also has three World gold medals, one silver and three bronze medals, always in the less than 60 kilogram category.
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Carpintero is the oldest judoka who has managed to win in the same year – in 2019 – the championship of Catalonia, Spain, and Europe, both individually and in teams, and in the world. In total, five Spanish championships, nine Spanish Cups, three bronzes, three silvers and two golds in European championships, and four bronzes, four silvers and two golds in the World Cups. Now the two have their minds set on Las Palmas, where a new Spanish championship will be held in December.
They are not the oldest on the circuit—Pedro explains to us that he has seen an 80-year-old Japanese compete—but no one is better than him. “I started practicing judo because I was quite introverted, unruly and grumpy, and I am sure that it was one of the best decisions of my life, because I channeled all this character and gained concentration and discipline,” says Carpintero.
Pedro Carpintero Miñoz de la Peña, champion and judo teacher at the Geieg of Girona, in an archive photo. Pere Duran/ Nord Media 
I started practicing judo because I was quite introverted, unruly and grumpy, and I am sure it was one of the best decisions of my life.
When it started it wasn’t easy. In Girona, where he lives, there were no teachers and he remembers how his teacher, Julian Azañón, came a couple of days a week with a scooter from Barcelona. When Pedro finished his military service, he also decided to go down to Barcelona a couple of times a week to be able to attend more classes, “although we finished at 11 at night and got home between one and two. in the morning!” Now he trains every day from seven in the morning until a quarter past eight. And every afternoon, for 47 years, he teaches classes for 5 hours to kids, now at the GEiEG.
“When I started, the tatami was 8 centimeters thick and made of straw. That hurt like hell when you threw it! Now we train on a 364 square meter tatami where only martial arts and self-defense are practiced. And I can have about 330 students a year.” Among the complicated moments, a break of the tibia and fibula. “It was in 2014, in a final of the Spanish championship, and I got involved with people I had been around for 14 or 15 years. I made it to the final, but there my opponent made a move that left my bones broken. They put a 15 centimeter plate, 6 screws and they stayed there. The doctor told me that judo was over for me. After five months he won the World Championship in Holland. But I learned a lesson: not to get on the tatami with people 15 or 20 years younger, I’m not that crazy!
I have learned a lesson: not to get on the tatami with people 15 or 20 years younger, I’m not that crazy!
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Elorza started when he was six years old. “I was a restless boy and my mother told the doctor about it. He encouraged her to try judo. I managed to be calmer and more disciplined. And since then I have never stopped practicing,” he explains. And he has never considered leaving. He trains almost every day for approximately an hour and a half and is part of the San Sebastián Judo Club.
“I have a job where I alternate morning and afternoon shifts and sometimes I can’t practice as much as I would like. But if I can’t do judo, I run and do the gym.” Precisely, due to lack of time, he has not been able to go to the World Championship that was just held in Las Vegas. “I have gone to previous ones and I have won gold medals. But this time I didn’t have enough days to make the trip.”
Since I was six years old I have not stopped practicing
The older you are, the better the results.
We asked him about the key to achieving good results at this age. “In my case, I have continued training the same as I did before. Many people lower their level after a certain age and train less. I have been able to maintain it, and I have always had the help of the family to make it possible.” His first medal in a senior Spanish championship was bronze. And it is now with the veterans that he has managed to get on the podium, being the best in the world up to three times. He assures that “age is just a number,” and adds: “Anything you set your mind to, you can achieve.”
One of the moments that he remembers, in this case because it was emotional and also exciting, is his first gold in a European competition. “It was my first gold medal, and I got it after a very close fight against a Russian judoka. I had been sanctioned and I was going to lose the final, but the referee just at the last moment met with the rest of the referees and after a period of uncertainty in which I did not know what was going to happen, they decided to sanction my opponent for not be attacking… and I won!”
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A complete sport that improves self-esteem
This Basque champion recommends without hesitation that everyone, including adults, should try this sport. “It is very complete, you use all parts of the body, arms, legs, and you learn to take advantage of the opponent’s strength in the event of a confrontation. It’s not about competing and hitting you, as some people think. Plus, there are many kinds of judo, even floor judo! Which is perhaps the calmest. It is a good sport to learn to like each other without getting hurt. In fact, it is one of the first things taught. The fear of falling is removed and you gain security. You learn to avoid many injuries and this is especially important after a certain age,” Elorza assures The Vanguard.
“The important thing is to learn to do a type of cartwheel that protects your shoulder. First you start practicing on all fours, then with a large ball… and you get it! If you start at 60, there are things you won’t be able to do, but floor judo – for example – is phenomenal for your health: it gives you agility and security,” says Carpintero.
It is a good sport to learn to like each other without getting hurt. You gain security
Iñigo Elorza, veteran judoka. 
And some good abs, too, says Elorza. “People who believe that you don’t get muscle with judo are wrong. We do a lot of exercise. You would be surprised to see the abs that some older people, like Íñigo, have. “Many young people would love them!” exclaims the Basque.
Another quality that both highlight about judo is the improvement in the level of personal confidence. “You put yourself like a shield. You have more security because you know that you will know how to react. If you have to face someone you don’t know, you can do it. In fact, in judo when you compete you are alone. It’s not easy. I go to a tatami and I have an opponent in front of me. You know that if you fail, you go home. Not everyone is suitable for the competition. There are people who train badly, but compete well because psychologically they are better than you. And it is therefore very important to develop this security,” says Íñigo.
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And although it is mostly an individual sport, Elorza also really enjoyed competing with Pedro as a team. “Today we remain united and form a great family. The good thing about this sport is that in addition to competing, you create bonds of friendship that do not break over time. For us this team is part of our family.” “Twice a year we continue to meet with families, but now to spend a few days of leisure and rest, either on the beach or in the mountains,” adds Carpintero.
But despite their achievements, none of them are considering retirement at all. “As long as I have the desire and will, I will continue doing it,” says Elorza. And when I see that there is no desire or spark, I will leave it. For now I will continue as long as I can.” The next date on a tatami awaits them in December.
Judo, a remedy against falls
In 2023, accidental falls replaced suicides as the main cause of external death in Spain. According to data from the INE, there were a total of 4,018 deaths for this reason, and 80% were over 60 years old. At a global level, data from the World Health Organization indicate that approximately 684,000 people die worldwide annually due to falls, and each year there are 37.3 million falls whose severity requires medical attention.
And study from the University of Seville Just a few years ago, he pointed out the effectiveness of judo in minimizing the impact of these accidents in the adult population and highlighted its usefulness in also reducing injuries and their severity.
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