COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A gaggle of central Ohio seniors is headed to the worldwide esports stage after being drafted to signify the USA in Los Angeles this December.
Senior Esports USA hosted an official Draft Day on final week at Recreation Enviornment on N. Excessive St. in Columbus, the place the group of native senior residents was introduced. The gamers will signify Staff USA on the 2026 International Esports Video games in Los Angeles from Dec. 1-7.
Senior Esports USA hosted a Draft Day saying 10 central Ohio senior residents who will signify Staff USA on the International Esports Video games in Los Angeles in December 2026. (Picture Offered, Credit score Toiana Tucker)
The occasion featured walk-ups as gamers heard their names referred to as and got here ahead to obtain customized Staff USA jerseys. Amongst them was Ladee Pamela Shields, 72, whose gamer title is MzDu-Wickle, who wanted slightly help making her strategy to the stage. One other participant walked with a cane.
Senior Esports USA, initiated by the Well being-e-Gamer Basis, is made up of central Ohio seniors and marks the primary time senior residents will likely be represented on the International Esports Video games. The group is predicted to coach weekly at Recreation Enviornment and play Rocket League, a online game that mixes soccer with rocket-powered vehicles, towards Senior Staff Belgium.
Senior Esports USA hosted a Draft Day saying 10 central Ohio senior residents who will signify Staff USA on the International Esports Video games in Los Angeles in December 2026. (Picture Offered, Credit score Toiana Tucker)
This system grew out of the Well being-e-Gamer Basis’s LevelUpLand initiative, which makes use of gaming and expertise to assist older adults keep socially linked, construct digital expertise and enhance total well-being.
Since launching in 2024, LevelUpLand has engaged with greater than 2,500 seniors via its programming.
