Diana Nyad Quits Historic Swim Effort; Joins Other Seniors Who Defy Convention

Diana Nyad was forced to abandon her second attempt at swimming non-stop from Cuba to Florida early Tuesday. According to NPR, the 61-year-old endurance swimmer had been preparing for the 103 mile swim all summer, but told CNN, "I am not sad. It was absolutely the right call."

Nyad had made it approximately halfway but was diverted from her course more than 15 miles by strong currents and winds. There is absolutely no shame in completing a 29-hour endurance swim, even if you intended to swim for 60 hours. Here are three other seniors who defied expectations based on their age.

Sensei Keiko Fukuda

Also in the news this week is Sensei Keiko Fukuda, a 98-year-old woman who has become the first woman to be promoted to the rank of 10th Dan in Judo. Yahoo! Shine reports Fukuda is only the 16 Judoka to ever be elevated to the rank of 10th Dan, and one of only four 10th Dan black belt Judokas alive today.

"Keiko has Parkinson's disease, arthritis in every joint, a triple bypass and has recovered from two heart attacks, but she starts sentences with, 'When I get old,'" said friend Dr. Shelley Fernandez, according to Life Compass. "She does not see herself as old." Sensei Fukuda is still teaching three classes a week at the age of 98, flipping students with the ease apparent in any Judo master.

Gary Player

Gary Player's golf career is a testament to sports conditioning increasing longevity. At the age of 73, Player competed in the Masters and the Senior British Open Championship a full 53 years after his first win on the European Tour. Player remains active in endorsement deals, merchandising and charity work. He has won 165 tournaments on six continents throughout his career, which has spanned six decades. He has been in the World Golf Hall of Fame since 1974, and still raises millions every year through charity golf tournaments through The Player Foundation.

I for one would feel accomplished if I could do all year what a 76-year-old Gary Player accomplishes in a week.

Sherman Bull

If you looked up defying expectations in a dictionary, you may find a picture of Dr. Sherman Bull. If you looked up the record for oldest person to ascend Mount Everest, you would definitely find a picture of Dr. Sherman Bull. On May 25, 2001 Bull, a doctor from New Canaan, Conn., reached the summit at the age of 63, becoming the oldest man to ever climb the mountain.

The Everest expedition was the completion of Sherman's dream to climb the "Seven Summits," which include the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. In between his record-setting climbs. Sherman has found time to train for and run in seven marathons (best time 2:52) and an ultra-marathon. Bull is an experienced climber and a general surgeon practicing in Stamford, Conn. His role in the 2001 Everest expedition was to assist Erik Weihenmayer, a blind man, on the medical side of things.