For a lot of us mortals, 60 signals time to pause and take stock of a career that defined our existence. Worn out, the body and spirit are crying out for relief from the years of wear and tear, and the prospect of spending some quiet, quality time brings a smile.
There is also a breed like Abdullah Al-Rashidi. A supreme athlete, fighting fit at 60, and excited about what the future holds.
Al-Rashidi could have called it a day after his skeet gold at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Wednesday, but, the man who took to the sport at 12 and has been competing since 1989, shows few signs of slowing down.
Time on the skeet range is a test of character and mental strength, and can take a toll as the years roll by. For Al Rashidi, the more time he spends at the range, the better he seems to get.
Else, how would one explain the intense hunger for more glory? The proud owner of two Olympic medals, three Asian Games and three World Championships gold, Al-Rashidi isnÔÇÖt satisfied. The urge to convert the Rio and Tokyo bronze medals into gold at the Paris Olympics drive his intense hunger.
In fact, right after Al-Rashidi emerged unscathed from the battle of nerves and skill with India 25-year-old emerging talent Anant Jeet Singh Naruka in the gold-medal match, Al Rashidi expressed the desire to step up several notches at the 2024 Olympics.
A perfect 60 from a 60-year-old to equal the world record isnÔÇÖt a regular occurrence, but the man from Kuwait showed how it done through immaculate technique and unwavering concentration.
It was also the patience of a man tempered by time that came in play too. When young gun Naruka seemed to be gunning for gold, slaying the clay birds with utmost precision, Al Rashidi put in use the years of experience at the top stage.
A steady head and body, Al Rashidi performance matched his demeanour, and when Naruka blinked towards the end, the Kuwaiti seized his chance and the top spot.
At 60, the gold was his with the perfect 60, but there was little that gave away what was going on within the champion.
If we were to take a guess, it would be visualizing mounting the podium to accept the skeet gold at Paris a year from now.