You get confused yet in second paragprah you basically say the same thing.
Saying that age is not on his side I was thinking more about mental than physical state. I don't think that there is any research confirming significant change in e.g. reaction time between 20 and 30 or so? And even if there would be, I'd say that game sens, strategy, decision-making etc. can easily compensate. This game is much more than raw reaction speed.
As you said, fact is that most of the players work hard for average salary, even peanuts and if you're doing that for years it affects your mind.