Here Come the Athletes!
Gina Bufe, the first athlete to check in for the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana.
You could feel the excitement in the air as the first senior athletes arrived at the Broward County Convention Center to visit Athlete Check-In sponsored by Papa and pick up their credential and welcome bag.
Gina Bufe from St. Louis, Missouri, earned the honor of being the first athlete to check in for the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana. Gina is making the most of her time in Fort Lauderdale – she’s competing in the 55-60 age category for two medal sports – Racewalk and Table Tennis – AND two demonstration sports – Corn Hole and Powerwalk. She also volunteered to help other athletes check in today! As she put it, “I’m enjoying my senior experience.”
A collegiate gymnast, Gina was inspired to join the senior games movement after watching the London Olympics in 2012. She trained diligently and took home a gold medal at her first National Senior Games in 2015. Look for her at the Celebration of Athletes on May 16 serving as a flag-bearer for the Missouri state delegation.
P.S. Don’t forget, all athletes must check in at the convention center before their competition. View check-in hours here. We’ll see you soon!
- Published in 2022 Games Daily News, May 10-11, 2022
Games Open with Spotlight on Race Walk and Power Walk
The 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana started at a walking pace yesterday, but it’s not just any kind of walking that makes for a competitive sport.
Traditional race walkers heard the first gun for 1500-meter competition at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, followed by a wave of athletes competing in the new sport of power walking. What’s the difference between the two?
Both walking forms require that one foot must be on the ground at all times, and the foot must strike from heel to toe.
Race Walk is an Olympic sport which has a technical element requiring the lead leg to remain straight from heel-strike until the knee passes under the body. This is what results in the unusual hip motions that characterize the look of the event. However, a bent knee is the accepted form in power walking and the race walk element is not allowed.
Nationals Leading the Way Introducing Power Walk as a Medal Sport
NSGA Media Director and power walker Del Moon congratulates “Mac” for completing his first ever power walking race with training from Ageility.
Power Walk was never a competitive sport until NSGA joined with the US Powerwalking Association in 2018 to establish sanctioning rules, and the first national competition ever held was at the 2019 National Senior Games in Albuquerque. “There were two good reasons to introduce the new sport,” explained NSGA Media Director and power walker Del Moon. “First, it’s an accessible entry sport for people like me with limited competitive sport experience. But it’s also a great way for aging race walkers to stay in the game because some find it increasingly difficult with time to execute the technical elements and they get disqualified. Now, they have something very similar to transition to.”
Ageility, one of the partners supporting the 2022 Games, recognized the potential for power walking and selected a resident from a Five Star Senior Living community in Deerfield Beach, Florida, to assign their trainers to learn and compete in The Games. Hugh “Mac” McCaffrey made his debut in the 75-79 age division and said the whole experience has been an eye-opener. “I regularly do Tai Chi, but power walking is now also a way for me to stay in shape,” the retired former 911 operator said.
Clara Satterfield, Oldest Female Power Walk Athlete, Competes in First National Senior Games with her Daughter
Clara Satterfield (left) and her daughter Evelyn Wilson pose before their 1500M Power Walk competitions at the 2022 National Senior Games.
As Clara Satterfield, 95, arrived to check in for her Power Walk event, a pair of onlookers couldn’t help but whisper in awe. We caught up with Clara and her daughter and fellow senior athlete, Evelyn Wilson, for a few minutes in the stands before Clara hit the track for her first National Senior Games competition.
The South Carolina athletes draw inspiration from Clara’s son (Evelyn’s brother) who is a dedicated masters athlete. After attending and qualifying at the senior games in Georgia, Clara was motivated to excel at the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana in Fort Lauderdale and trained five days a week. It paid off – she earned gold and lowered her blood pressure!
Evelyn has experience competing in previous National Senior Games that she will pass along to her mother for this event. Both competed in the 1500M Power Walk on May 10, and will be back at Ansin Sports Complex later for the 50M dash.
Evelyn’s final words of encouragement for her mother before Clara’s competition were, “Walk your walk.” We think this won’t be the last time you see this sweet and strong mother/daughter at the National Senior Games!
Team Marcela Celebrates Mother’s Day at The Games
Marcela Nieto (center) poses with her family and friends at the Ansin Sports Complex.
The pride and love Marcela Nieto’s children feel for her is palpable. When they found out Marcela’s 2022 National Senior Games Powerwalk competition would fall on the same day as Mexican Mother’s Day, May 10, they sprung into action to arrange the perfect gift – a family trip to Fort Lauderdale to cheer her on.
It’s fitting that one of Marcela’s daughters pushed her to try the senior games in their home state of Michigan after seeing an ad in a local magazine. Marcela competed in track and field in high school and college and loved the new challenge, quickly forming friendships with fellow athletes.
All of Marcela’s children, her husband, and other family members, stood proudly in the stands sporting their “Team Marcela” shirts to support Marcela at her National Senior Games debut.
Marcela hopes to add the 5K Power Walk to her competition repertoire at the 2023 National Senior Games in Philadelphia. There’s no doubt Team Marcela will rally around her along the way!
- Published in May 10-11, 2022, Uncategorized
Light Your Passion at the Flame Arrival Ceremony May 11!
Welcome to the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana and “A Reunion For The Ages!” Check out the beautiful torch design!
It’s beach party time! Plan to join other athletes to witness the torch run in at the Flame Arrival Ceremony sponsored by Aviv Clinics. The program begins at 7 pm on Wednesday, May 11, at Las Olas Oceanside Park.
The torch activity will give a nod to the 50th Anniversary of Title IX with several female athletes who were pre-Title IX pioneers among the torch bearers. Prior to the inspiring torch run and cauldron lighting the party will include a drum line, deejay and dance performances.
There will also be an athletic feat performed when Minnesota multisport athlete Andy “Mr. Impossible” Steinfeldt will entertain us with a world record attempt for the side plank, and he will serenade us with a song while doing it!
Best Parking: Click here for location of Las Olas Beach Garage
Who will light the cauldron? Be there, you won’t be disappointed!
- Published in 2022 Games Daily News, May 10-11, 2022
Snap the Perfect Photo at Humana’s Splash Zone Backdrop
Make a splash at The Games! Pose under Humana’s 3D photo backdrop located outside Hall B in the Broward County Fort Lauderdale Convention Center for a fun photo to share with your friends. And when you post your image to Humana’s Senior Games Celebration wall using the QR code provided, you’ll get the chance to win a trip for two to the 2023 National Senior Games in Pittsburgh.
- Published in 2022 Games Daily News, May 10-11, 2022
South Florida Father and Daughter Climb onto their Bikes to Compete at the 2022 National Senior Games
Florida Feature by Nick Gandy, Florida Senior Games
Luigi Fabbri with his daughter Gabrielle.
It’s rare that individuals are recognized with one, “Lifetime Achievement Award.” At the 2022 National Senior Games, Luigi Fabbri, of Hallandale Beach, will add an unofficial lifetime achievement award to his collection when he competes alongside his daughter, Gabriella, as Senior Games athletes in cycling. The Fabbris are the second parent and child from Florida to compete in the National Senior Games together. Tallahassee’s Shirley Butler bowled, while her son Pete, was a cyclist in the 2017 National Senior Games.
Fabbri, now competing in the 85-89 age group, was one of 10 athletes recognized by the Florida Senior Games, in December 2021, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Those 10 athletes have competed in all four decades of Florida’s annual Olympic-style Sports Festival for athletes age 50 and over, from the 1990s to the 2020s.
His first Florida Senior Games appearance was in 1998, when he won a 5K Time Trials gold medal and 10K Time Trials silver medal in the 60-64 age group. Fabbri won 20K and 40K Road Races in the 85-89 age group in 2021. He will ride in the 20K Road Race on Saturday, May 21, and the 40K Road Race, on Sunday, May 22.
His daughter, Gabriella, is riding in the 5K and 10K Time Trials in the 55-59 age group, on Wednesday, May 18, and Thursday, May 19, respectively. Her experience is not as extensive as her father’s. She is riding her first race event with her father and wants to follow in his footsteps. “He’s my motivation and inspiration,” Gabriella said of her father. “I’ve got some big shoes to fill. But I’m in it for the long haul.”
Gabriella admits she decided to take up her father’s sport of choice after riding with him at the Velodrome, at Brian Piccolo Park, on Father’s Day last year. She started training a short time afterward and works out with Luigi, “three or four times a week, depending on her work schedule,” according to the trainer and mentor.
“To think he has so much wisdom and experience to share, I’d be a fool not to learn from him,” said Gabriella. “ I only wish I had not waited until this year to start cycling. But as the saying goes ‘Better late than never.’”
She registered for the 2022 National Senior Games after registration was opened up to athletes who did not have a qualifying performance.
“I’m very new to the cycling world,” Gabriella said. “During the training with my dad, he’s put me on a diet and started me learning the basics, like how to get in and out of the pedals. We’ve also worked on pre-race warm ups and how to start a race strong and finish easy.”
The Florida Senior Games Cyclist of four decades, Luigi Fabbri, sees a long future ahead in the sport for his daughter.
“She’s doing very good,” he said of her training. “I practice really hard and so does she.” While the father and daughter are riding in two different races, they will share the same feelings of rolling up to the starting line to begin the race. They will also feel the same satisfaction of crossing the finish line.
At the 2022 National Senior Games Cycling Time Trials, Luigi Fabbri, will achieve his second Lifetime Achievement Award when his daughter, Gabriella, crosses the finish line.
- Published in 2022 Games Daily News, May 10-11, 2022
NSGA Official Press Release Touts Reunion Theme
South Florida has 11,938 reasons to be excited in May, and it’s not just for the beaches and balmy weather. That’s the number of athletes age 50 and over who will compete in 21 medal sports at the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana!
Official Media Release for the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana
- Published in 2022 Games Daily News, May 10-11, 2022