71-Year-Old Chinese Grandmother Wins Bronze Medal at Fitness Competition

A 71-Year-Old Participant Sun Minghui Wins Bronze
"Age Is Just a Number... You Can Build Muscle at Any Age"

A 71-year-old grandmother in China has attracted attention after winning a bronze medal at a fitness competition. She reportedly amazed many as the oldest participant in this event.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on June 9 (local time), Sun Minghui (71, female) from Anhui Province won the bronze medal in the mixed category at the "National Fitness Rookie Player Selection Competition" held in Wuhan on June 1.

Sun Minghui (71), who won the bronze medal in the mixed category at the "2025 Wuhan National Fitness Rookie Player Selection Competition" held on the 1st. Photo by SCMP and Douyin capture

Before retiring, Sun worked at the cafeteria of a steel factory, yet she maintained her passion for exercise even during her busy daily life. After retirement, she tried various sports including cycling, jump rope, jogging, and hiking, and began serious fitness training at the age of 67. Sun now boasts well-defined abs and a balanced, muscular physique.

Sun said, "I noticed changes just one month after starting my training. My biceps became visible, and the outline of my latissimus dorsi also started to show. It was both surprising and empowering to realize that muscle doesn't necessarily decrease with age, but can actually increase."

She added, "Age is just a number, not a limitation. Anyone can gain strength and exercise. Moving is much better than staying still." Sun is reported to maintain a body fat percentage of 18%.

An official from the fitness competition said, "Seeing a 71-year-old athlete participate made me rethink the meaning of 'rookie.' I hope more middle-aged and older adults will join to improve their health."

Sun Minghui (71), bronze medalist at China's "2025 National Fitness Rookie Selection Competition." Photo by SCMP

Previously, at the age of 60 in 2014, she participated in the "100-Person 10,000-Mile Challenge," cycling 6,316 kilometers in 45 days from Heixiazi Island, China's easternmost island, to Sanya, the southernmost island, setting a Guinness World Record with her teammates.

Currently, Sun trains more than five times a week, with each session lasting over an hour, and follows a high-protein, low-fat diet. She consumes four to five egg whites a day, and maintains a low-salt, low-oil, and low-sugar diet. Emphasizing exercise safety for the elderly, she advised, "Older adults should only use about 70% of their strength when exercising. It's important to go slowly and consistently without getting injured."

She said, "Aging is inevitable, but exercise can change both the body and the mind. I hope my story inspires more seniors to live healthy and empowered lives after retirement."