Toshisuke Kanazawa has proved that age is no barrier to achieving a lifelong dream after the 90-year-old Japanese bodybuilder won the 85-and-over category at a major Masters fitness competition, just one day after celebrating his milestone birthday.
Kanazawa achieved his long-held goal of competing at the age of 90 at the All Japan Masters Fitness Championships in Hiroshima, Japan.
The historic victory came on Sunday, August 30, exactly one day after he turned 90, further cementing his reputation as one of Japan’s oldest competitive bodybuilders.
The annual competition, held in his hometown of Hiroshima, attracted around 200 athletes between the ages of 41 and 90. Competitors were divided into 13 different age categories, allowing veteran athletes to compete against others within similar age groups.
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Kanazawa wins 17th Masters title at 90
Kanazawa faced six competitors in the 85-and-over division.
Following a synchronised preliminary round, he took to the stage for his individual one-minute free-posing routine. His performance thrilled the crowd and ultimately earned him the championship title.
The victory was reportedly his 17th Masters championship title, adding another remarkable achievement to a bodybuilding career that has spanned decades.
Rather than treating his age as a limitation, Kanazawa has continued to train and compete at an extraordinary level.
Speaking after his latest victory, he reflected on the physical challenges that come with growing older.
“Every year the wrinkles increase and my strength decreases,” Kanazawa said.
“Overcoming that with effort is my way of living.”
His comments captured the determination behind his continued participation in competitive bodybuilding.
A bodybuilding journey spanning seven decades
Kanazawa’s relationship with fitness began long before he became a celebrated veteran bodybuilder.
He initially competed as a swimmer before discovering bodybuilding at the age of 20.
His talent quickly became evident, and he went on to win the prestigious Mister Japan title twice — first at the age of 24 and again at 27.
However, after enjoying considerable success, Kanazawa retired from competitive bodybuilding at 34.
He subsequently stepped away from the sport completely for approximately 16 years.
His return to serious training came at the age of 50, when he decided to rebuild his physique and fitness.
According to accounts of his life, one of his motivations was to encourage his wife, who frequently suffered from illness.
What began as an effort to motivate and support his wife eventually developed into another extraordinary chapter in his own bodybuilding journey.
Strict diet and disciplined lifestyle
Kanazawa is also known for maintaining a remarkably disciplined approach to nutrition.
He gave up meat and fish decades ago and has continued to follow a clean diet focused on foods such as brown rice, fermented soybeans known as natto, eggs and miso soup.
His lifestyle has helped him remain lean and maintain the muscular physique required for bodybuilding competitions well into his later years.
His commitment to training and nutrition has become an important part of his identity, demonstrating that his achievements are not the result of a short-term fitness programme but decades of consistency.
At an age when many people have already retired from physically demanding activities, Kanazawa continues to train with the aim of remaining competitive.
Celebrating another national championship
Following his victory, Kanazawa shared his excitement with his followers on Instagram.
He described the achievement as his 17th national title and thanked the people who had supported him throughout his long career.
Kanazawa explained that his collection of championships includes 15 Japan Masters titles and two Japan Championship titles.
He also revealed that his competitive journey is far from over.
The 90-year-old said he is scheduled to compete at the Japan Championships on October 6 and asked his supporters to continue encouraging him.
His decision to continue competing illustrates the remarkable level of commitment he has maintained throughout his life.
An inspiration beyond bodybuilding
Kanazawa’s story has attracted attention not only because of his age but also because of the decades of sacrifice behind his achievements.
His career demonstrates the importance of discipline, consistency and a willingness to pursue goals even after setbacks or long periods away from a chosen passion.
His 16-year break from bodybuilding could easily have marked the end of his competitive career. Instead, he returned at 50 and spent the following decades rebuilding his strength and continuing to challenge himself.
Now at 90, he has once again stood on a competitive bodybuilding stage and claimed another major title.
Kanazawa is also reportedly continuing to train while pursuing additional records and competitive milestones.
His latest achievement serves as a powerful reminder that getting older does not necessarily mean giving up on personal ambitions.
For Kanazawa, bodybuilding appears to be more than a competition. It has become a way of life built around discipline, effort and perseverance.
As he prepares for his next appearance at the Japan Championships in October, the veteran athlete’s extraordinary journey continues.
At 90, Kanazawa has already accomplished what few athletes could imagine. Yet, rather than looking back on his achievements, he appears determined to keep moving forward — proving once again that age may change the body, but determination can continue to drive the spirit.
For background on Masters bodybuilding and competitions, link to the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB).
