90-Year-Old Bodybuilder Eyes Return At 93

A 90-year-old Japanese bodybuilder, Toshisuke Kanazawa, has competed against athletes decades younger than him at an international bodybuilding competition in Spain, showing that age has not stopped his passion for fitness.

Kanazawa travelled to Santa Susanna, a coastal town on Spain’s Costa del Maresme, to compete in the masters category for athletes aged 50 and above. The International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation held the competition on Friday.

Despite his age, Kanazawa followed the same preparations as younger competitors. He warmed up with his team backstage and applied spray tan before taking to the stage.

Read More : Hakimi Fires PSG To 5-1 Victory

“I like to try doing things that nobody else has done, and more than anything I want to pursue bodybuilding for the rest of my life,” he said.

Kanazawa credits his fitness and long life to a strict diet that he has followed for decades. He said he has built muscle since turning 50 by eating traditional Japanese meals.

“This is something I’ve been researching and want to learn more about. But ever since I turned 50, I’ve been building muscle by eating a purely Japanese diet: brown rice, natto (a fermented soya bean dish), and miso soup,” he said.

“It’s really the classic Japanese way of eating. And thanks to that, I’ve gone 90 years without ever getting sick.”

Japanese bodybuilder, 90, flexes ageless ambition on Spanish stage. Credit: The Strait Times.

Although he didn’t finish on the podium, Kanazawa remains determined to keep competing. He is already considering another appearance at 93 before retiring from the sport.

“I’m thinking I might give it one more go at 93. After that, I’ll probably have to retire,” he said.

He also spoke about the physical changes that come with ageing, including wrinkles, and how society views older people.

“As you get older, you start developing wrinkles, quite a lot of them. In Japan, there’s this idea that once you get those wrinkles, it just doesn’t look very good anymore,” he said.

Author

Deborah Akwa

Deborah Akwa is a content writer with over four years of experience creating brand stories, editorial content, and audience-focused articles on topics like health, lifestyle, and entertainment.

When she isn't writing, she is behind the scenes managing editorial operations and helping the content team work better.

She loves using words to connect brands with their audiences. Outside of work, she enjoys watching movies and engaging in thought-provoking conversations.