Aging with vigor: Senior couple travels U.S. to compete in senior games

Columbia — The show me state senior games continued Saturday. This event is bringing seniors from far and wide to participate in the festivities. Including couple Marvin and Bonnie Champion.

Hailing from Denver, Colorado; the couple aged 85 and 84 years old respectively, travels to senior games across the country from April to October.

They believe it is everyone’s responsibility to stay active and stay healthy.

“A lot of people say I used to play tennis, but I don’t do it anymore. I used to play golf. If you used to do it, you can still do it and I would advise them to get back to it, even if it’s putt putt golf or pickleball, it’s important that you move.”, Bonnie said.

Originally from Higginsville, Missouri Bonnie made it a point to come to her home state this year.

She typically competes in tennis and softball; and received at least 5 medals during her time at the show me senior games while nursing an ailing hip injury.

“I could either complain about being injured and can’t do it. Or I can go out there and do it the best I can”, said Bonnie.

Her husband Marvin, a California native and former marine, has run track all his lifein his later yearshe found the motivation to compete from a multitude of influences.

“We had a neighbor some years ago, he wanted to live to be 100 years old. His thing was ‘if you don’t move, you’ll dry up’ in the sense that you’ve got to keep moving. We’re all going to leave this world one day, but the idea that you keep moving it kind of gives you a better perspective on what you’re doing and the family, and you enjoy yourself.”, Marvin recounted.

Marvin has taken a serious commitment to competing in the senior gamesworking with a trainerand traveling nationally to compete in state senior games.

In 20-22 he took third place 100-meter dash for 80–84-year-olds at the huntsman world senior games.

The couple plans to visit Wyoming or Montana next on their path of senior game dominance.

But the most important piece of the journey, is that they walk step by step together.

“Body in motion stays in motion”, Bonnie advised.

“We are a couple, soulmates, we’ve done this for 56 years almost. She plays tennis and stuff, and we go togetherwe get along great, it’s a good marriage.”, Marvin remarked.