It seemed 40-year-old Sergio Perez wore the entire history of Cuban judo on his wrinkled face Sunday.

But the popular judoka, with grey hair, refused to blame his age for his shortcomings.

Sergio Perez, Cuba's 40-year-old Paralympic champion, hugs British judoka Ben Quilter after their repechage final bout in the men's 60kg category. [China Daily]

For the former Paralympic champion managed to toss, turn and throw opponents much younger than him before crashing out himself.

"Age and visual disability were not problems for me," Perez said through a translator afterwards.

The exhausted veteran sat taking stock on the floor of the mixed zone after his last bout in the men's 60kg category.

"My knee injury is giving me a hard time, but I have no problem with my stamina," he said, breathing heavily.

Perez was unlucky enough to draw powerful young Iranian Saeed Rahmati, a two-time world champion, in the first round and the older judoka was defeated by a score known as a wasa-ari.

The veteran then passed over Uruguay's Henry Borges in the repechages, before being stopped by Ben Quilter from Great Britain.

Many of 4,000 spectators cheered for Perez at the Workers' Gymnasium yesterday, as fans marveled at the strength and skills of the veteran.

"Sports without boundaries, I must say," said Zhang Hansheng, a 58-year-old spectator in the front row. "I have never seen such a senior athlete, and he is competing with young lads."

Like many other judokas with disabilities in Cuba, Perez took up the sport at an early age.

After almost 20 years of intense training he debuted in international competition at the age of 29, taking his first Paralympic gold in his category at the Sydney Games in 2000.

Two years later, Perez became a world champion in Sao Paulo.

In 2004, he won enough bouts to defend his Paralympic title in Athens, but was later stripped of his gold after testing positive for the banned steroid prednisolone.

Perez explained he had just taken a type of medicine, then considered a forbidden drug, for a breathing complaint.

"The medicine is no longer considered a banned drug," he said.

At last year's World Championships in Sao Paulo he secured his journey to Beijing by winning another world title.

Perez lives with his wife and two children in Palma Soriano, Cuba.

Altogether six Cuban judokas, including world and Pan-American champions, will contest in the Paralympics in Beijing.

Cuban coach Senen Ramos said his team was ready to excel.

"They have the tactics and strength necessary to face the rivals in their categories," said Ramos, insisting his charges could win at least six medals.

"I would be happy if three of them would be gold," he said.

Other challengers from Team Cuba include Victor Sanchez in the 66kg, Jorge Hierrezuelo in the 73kg, Isao Cruz in the 81 kg, Juan Cortada in the 100kg, and Giangaliani Jimenez in the +100kg.

But skilfull judokas from Azerbaijan, France, Brazil, Japan and Iran will be out to derail their hopes.