Ping Pong Champion Carol Klenfner Starts Sport at 69

At 80 years old, Carol Klenfner is an award-winning table tennis champion who proves that athletic achievement has no age limit. She began her competitive journey relatively late in life, picking up the paddle at age 69 after decades of avoiding sports due to a past injury. Today, she competes at the national level and credits the sport for keeping her mind sharp and her body agile.

Klenfner's daily life involves a disciplined training regimen that she fits into her small Manhattan studio apartment. Her dedication has resulted in over 50 medals and a renewed sense of purpose. She emphasizes that the goal is not just winning, but the joy of playing and the mental clarity that comes with it.

For most of her life, Carol Klenfner avoided athletics. During her college years, she was involved in a car crash that dislocated her hip. This injury fundamentally altered the trajectory of her life, forcing her to abandon running, tennis, and other general athletic activities. She noted that the event "changed the trajectory of my life till now," causing her to stop playing sports entirely at that point.

Decades later, in her late 60s, Klenfner encountered a turning point while watching a PBS documentary titled "Ping Pong." The film followed a group of seniors, ranging in age from 80 to 100, traveling to the World Masters Championship. Seeing these athletes inspired her to reconsider her physical limitations. Although she could no longer play tennis due to back issues and sciatica, she realized that table tennis might be a viable option for her.

At age 69, she decided to compete. Within just a few months of consistent play, she noticed significant improvements in her physical capabilities. "I noticed that my reflexes were faster than they had been," she recalled. This immediate feedback fueled her passion for the game and set the stage for a decade of competitive success.

After more than a decade of playing, Klenfner has established herself as a formidable competitor in senior athletics. She has participated in numerous events, including the Empire State Senior Games and the National Senior Games. Her trophy case includes over 50 medals, highlighted by a gold medal win in women's singles at the national games in Pittsburgh in 2023. Although she placed fifth at the 2025 games in Des Moines, Iowa—a result she found disappointing—she remains committed to the sport.

The cognitive benefits of table tennis are a major factor in her continued participation. The sport requires intense focus on the spin of the ball, the bounce off the paddle, and the angle of each return. Klenfner explains that this repeated focus helps tune both her body and mind. She has observed a tangible impact on her reflexes in daily life, noting, "If I'm in the bathroom and something falls off the medicine chest, my hand is there catching it before it even registers in my head."

Her experience aligns with scientific research regarding the aging brain. Regular physical activity, particularly sports that require balance, coordination, and fine motor control, can strengthen neural connections. This type of engagement helps reduce the risk of cognitive decline and frailty in older adults, making ping pong an effective tool for active aging.

Maintaining a competitive edge in her 80s requires a strict exercise schedule. Klenfner works out every day, both in the morning and at night. Despite living in a small studio apartment in Manhattan, she utilizes creative methods to stay fit. Her morning routine begins while her oatmeal warms up, during which she completes approximately 60 squats, including difficult one-legged variations.

Following her squats, she performs stretches specifically targeting her back and sciatica. She then executes side planks to strengthen her oblique muscles, which are essential for the side-to-side motion required in table tennis. Her training extends beyond her apartment; she visits PingPod to practice with coaches and sees a private Pilates trainer twice a week.

In the evenings, she attaches a resistance band to her bathroom door to complete sets of resistance exercises. Klenfner cites three primary reasons for her commitment to this routine:

• Staying strong for her tournaments
• Staying strong for her life
• Supporting her mental health

She describes her current lifestyle as the "best chapter of my life," emphasizing that she is happy when she is moving and doing what she wants to do.

Carol Klenfner's journey from a sports-averse young adult to a national champion offers a powerful testament to the resilience of the human body and spirit. Her story demonstrates that physical limitations do not have to preclude an active life, provided one finds the right activity. By embracing table tennis at age 69, she not only improved her physical reflexes but also discovered a community and a passion that keeps her engaged and happy.

Her advice to others looking to make a change later in life is simple and direct. "The single most important thing that I've learned... is that it's never too late to learn," she says. "It's never too late to start something new." For Klenfner, the goal is not solely about winning medals, though she has plenty of those. Rather, it is about the act of playing and the continuous pursuit of personal growth, regardless of age.