Japanese bodybuilder Toshisuke Kanazawa secured his 19th national title and competed at the IFBB World Fitness and Bodybuilding Championships in Santa Susanna, Spain, just a day after turning 90, demonstrating a competitive routine built on a strict meat-free diet and daily training.
A Lifetime of Training and Competition in Hiroshima
Kanazawa operates his own gym in Hiroshima, where he maintains a rigorous physical regimen consisting of two-hour sessions six days a week. Age-related adjustments mean he has phased out free-weight bench presses and squats in favor of exercise machines, noting that he tailors his routine to what suits his body at this stage of life. Rest periods between sets are longer now, and he sleeps around seven hours every night to manage recovery times.
Toshisuke Kanazawa is the longevity model worth paying attention to> Wins his first Mr. Japan in 1960> Finishes 4th behind Arnold at the 1967 Mr. Universe> Retires in mid-30s> Wife develops chronic illness> Inspires his return at age 50> Finishes 12th at the IFBB Worlds>… pic.twitter.com/EiGUGYXgXX
His dietary approach excludes alcohol, tobacco, meat, and fish entirely. Meals center on brown rice topped with furikake, natto, and misosuppe accompanied by a couple of raw eggs. While he once consumed six daily protein shakes, he has reduced that intake to three to accommodate decreased fluid tolerance in his later years. Kanazawa maintains that his physical condition is entirely natural and achieved without performance-enhancing substances.
The Road from Olympic Disappointment to Global Veteran Titles
As a youth, Kanazawa pursued competitive swimming until a muscle issue derailed his Olympic ambitions and prompted a pivot to professional bodybuilding. Within five years of intensive, isolated training—six hours a day—he claimed the Mr. Japan title at age 24 and repeated the feat three years later. By 1967, he finished fourth in the Mr. Universe competition in Montreal alongside participants such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and winner Sergio Oliva.
Although he retired from competition in his mid-30s, Kanazawa returned to the stage at age 50 to motivate his wife, who was dealing with chronic illness. Since turning 80, he has accumulated six world championships in the veteran division. Recently, he also secured a fourth-place finish in the mixed pairs competition at the Japan Open alongside Asuka Miyamae, who is 39 years his junior.
| Milestone / Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Age | 90 years old |
| Recent Milestone | Won 19th national title the day after turning 90 |
| Recent Competition | IFBB World Fitness and Bodybuilding Championships in Santa Susanna, Spain |
| Dietary Regimen | No meat, fish, alcohol, or tobacco; relies on brown rice, natto, miso soup, and raw eggs |
Kanazawa intends to continue competing internationally and hopes his longevity in the sport encourages older adults to maintain the activities they enjoyed in their youth.
