‘Age is just a number': China grandma, 71, comes third in fitness contest, shares health tips

South China Morning Post

09-06-2025

A Chinese grandmother has inspired countless netizens after winning third place in a fitness competition, following four years of rigorous training.
On June 1, 71-year-old Sun Minghui, who is originally from Ma'anshan in Anhui province, central China, won the bronze medal in the mixed-gender category at the 2025 Wuhan round of the National Fitness Newcomers Quality Competition.
Sun was the oldest competitor at the event.
Sun Minghui, who won a bronze medal in the contest, was the oldest person taking part. Photo: ctdsb.net
Before retiring, she worked in the cafeteria of a steel factory and despite the demands of her job, always maintained a passion for exercise.
After retirement, she explored a variety of sports, including cycling, jumping rope, jogging, and hiking.
She only began formal fitness training at the age of 67 and has developed an impressive six-pack and firm overall muscle tone.
'After just over a month of training, I began to see changes. My biceps became visible, and the contours of my lats started to show. I did not lose muscle with age; I gained it. That gave me a huge confidence boost.
'This proves that no matter your age, you can do strength training or other exercises. Moving is always better than staying still,' Sun told Hubei Media Group.