Old fighters: shaping identities beyond the last round

Abstract

This paper discusses some aspects related to identity shaping of old fighters in combat sports in the metropolitan area of Vitoria (Espírito Santo, Brazil). The empirical data were collected with semi-structured interviews with five fighters between 38 and 74 years old. The paper discusses recurring aspects in studies devoted to mapping the frames of reference that take part in the construction of identities of fighters, as well as works that have researched fighters’ retirement. It concludes that fighters develop manners (alternatives) of maintaining their identity when they face their own decline in sport performance.