U.S.MORNING LIFE

Older Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Students Are Fighting the Clock

The New York Times profiles older athletes who took up Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a deliberate challenge instead of simply maintaining; the mat, it turns out, has no age limit.

On air: Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock on BBN This Morning
Published 6:03 AM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

Photo: John Lamonica · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock on this story, from BBN This Morning at 6:03 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The New York Times's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: John Lamonica · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Brazilian jiu-jitsu — Photo: John Lamonica · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “These Older Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Students Are Fighting the Clock”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 6:03 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The New York TimesThese Older Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Students Are Fighting the Clock

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBrazilian jiu-jitsu has a new crowd this morning, and it is not the one you would picture, because the students in this New York Times feature are well past the age when most people ease off.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWhile plenty of people slow down or just try to hold steady, these athletes went looking for a challenge, and they found one that involves being choked by a stranger on purpose.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's a sport where the mat does not care about your birth certificate.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI think it's wonderful. My knees file a complaint just getting out of the car, and they are signing up for armbars.

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