“Not Anywhere Near The Finish Line”: 86-year-old Bodybuilder Breaks His Own Record, Vows To Keep Going Until 100

Bodybuilding is not a sport for old men. Most bodybuilders retire by the time they’re close to 40. Toshisuke Kanazawa also did the same. However, Japan’s oldest bodybuilder, made a comeback at 50. Now aged 86, the Hiroshima native has just broken his own record. While it’s quite surprising to see a bodybuilder over 50 on stage, Kanazawa posed against men half his age. So what’s the secret of Japan’s oldest bodybuilder? How did he break his own record? How can he still compete?

Let’s find out all this and more by taking a closer look at Toshisuke Kanazawa, the record-setter from Japan.

Toshisuke Kanazawa is Japan’s oldest bodybuilder

On Oct 9, 2022, Toshisuke Kanazawa took part in the 68th Japan Bodybuilding Championships at 86. While the 86-year-old didn’t make it to the top 12, that he can compete at all, is an achievement in itself. Kanazawa echoed the same sentiment, when he said, “I’m grateful for just being able to participate.” The 86-year-old also said, “I hope I can reach the hearts of others when they see me take on a challenge even in old age.” After placing second in the 34th Japan Masters Championships, Kanazawa had said, “I’m still not anywhere near the finish line.”

Kanazawa, started bodybuilding when he was 20. The Hiroshima native won the Japan Championships for the first time, when he was only 24 years old. Kanazawa even became “Mr. Japan” at 27. Toshisuke took only seven years to win the biggest bodybuilding title in Japan. The 86-year-old retired when he was 34. By then, Kanazawa had won the national championship multiple times.

However, Toshisuke’s wife fell sick frequently, when he was around 50. To make her happy, Kanazawa cleaned up his diet and began training again, with the goal to take part in bodybuilding competitions. Since then, the Hiroshima native has won many competitions. As of today, the oldest bodybuilder in Japan has won the Japan championships for an incredible 15 times.

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Kanazawa also said that he was ready to compete for at least a few more years. Toshisuke wants to be an, “Example to other grandpas and grandmas in the world by living healthy until 100.” Kanazawa is preparing for his next show now. The 86-year-old will take part in the World Championships in Spain, in November.

The diet that keeps Kanazawa in top shape

Diet is a crucial part of bodybuilding. While younger athletes can get away with some dirty bulking, that’s not an option for Kanazawa. When the 86-year-old made a comeback, he changed his diet drastically. Kanazawa quit meat and fish, and instead ate brown rice, fermented soybeans, eggs, and miso soup.

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Bodybuilding is a young man’s sport. Even bodybuilders like Dexter Jackson, who competed in Mr. Olympia until 50, are a rarity. However, Kanazawa made a comeback at 50. Even at 86, the Japanese man has no plans of slowing down. Toshisuke Kanazawa’s longevity and will power are truly admirable.