The poet Dylan Thomas famously wrote, “old age should burn and rave at close of day” – and a high-profile cohort of professional athletes seems to be taking him literally.

Samoan-New Zealand rugby great Ma'a Nonu (44) recently fronted for South African provincial team the Sharks against his old side, the All Blacks, to plaudits from fans of both teams.

Lebron James (41) remains a force in the United States National Basketball Association, averaging 20.9 points per game and 7.2 assists in his 23rd season.

Courtney Dauwalter (41) won the gruelling 2026 Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run, adding to her trove of ultra-distance successes. Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura (59) continues to inspire in his 42nd professional season.

A relative junior, Argentina’s legendary Lionel Messi played in this year’s FIFA World Cup final aged 39. Portuguese superstar Christiano Ronaldo was 41 at the tournament – twice the age of world football’s emerging stars.

Of course, these are exceptions to the rule. They are genetically gifted, highly trained, arguably fortunate to have avoided career-limiting injuries, and have access to world-class physiotherapists, nutritionists and coaches.

Indeed, athletes over 40 remain outliers in professional sport. Many spend fewer than five years at the top, often........

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