Concord Couple Headed To National Senior Games

Sue Yoshikawa had two back surgeries and three herniated discs since she and her husband, Fumio, won table tennis medals at the 1997 National Senior Games in Tucson, Ariz.

It would surprise no one if Sue, 69, opted out of the 2013 National Senior Games, which begin July 19 in Cleveland.

"That was many years ago," Sue said of their victories. "It's not like last time."

Still, Sue and Fumio, who is 72, will be at Case Western Reserve University's Veale Center at the end of the month for the table tennis competition. Sue said she is determined to tough it out for the sport she and her husband began playing together long before they moved from Japan to the U.S. in 1967.

"Everybody has pains and aches, she said. "Table tennis is 50 percent mental game, so you just use your brain."

Fumio added: "Some players are in their 80s and they keep going, so we can keep going, too."

Click here for more information about Senior Games venues in Cleveland. Click here for the entire age-specific event schedule.

Over the course of two weeks, athletes, ages 50 to 101, will compete in 19 sports. All events are free and open to the public.