The ageless bodybuilder continues to defy expectations and credits a traditional Japanese diet for his remarkable longevity
It’s a flex by just being on stage for Japanese bodybuilder Toshisuke Kanazawa. Kanazawa, who is now 90 years old, traveled to Santa Susanna, Spain, on October 30 for the 2026 IFBB World Fitness Championships, going head-to-head with competitors decades younger than him.
The bodybuilding veteran competed in a Masters division for athletes aged 50 and older. While he did not finish on the podium, Kanazawa made another statement about longevity, discipline, and his passion for bodybuilding. He also revealed that he might have one more competition left in him before finally calling it a career.
Toshisuke Kanazawa Continues Bodybuilding Journey at 90
Kanazawa has spent decades proving that competitive bodybuilding does not have to end at a certain age. His latest appearance in Spain was another remarkable chapter in a career that has already attracted international attention.
According to Reuters, Kanazawa went through the same backstage preparations as his younger competitors. He warmed up with his team, applied spray tan, and prepared to show off his physique under the bright stage lights.
For Kanazawa, the opportunity to compete is about much more than winning trophies.
“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,” Kanazawa told Reuters.
This is not the first time Kanazawa has made headlines for his accomplishments.
Generation Iron previously covered the Japanese bodybuilder after he won his division at a competition in Japan at age 90.
Now, he has taken his ambitions overseas, testing himself against international competition while continuing to inspire older athletes.
Kanazawa Credits Traditional Japanese Diet for Longevity
One of the most interesting aspects of Kanazawa’s story is his approach to nutrition.
Rather than following an elaborate bodybuilding diet, Kanazawa credits traditional Japanese foods for helping him maintain his health and muscle development over the years.
He explained that he established his dietary habits around age 50 and has continued following them for decades.
His diet includes three Japanese staples:
- Brown rice: A source of carbohydrates, fiber, and energy to support an active lifestyle.
- Natto: Fermented soybeans that provide plant-based protein and other nutrients.
- Miso soup: A traditional Japanese dish made with fermented soybean paste.
Kanazawa believes this approach has played an important role in keeping him healthy well into his 90s.
“It’s really the classic Japanese way of eating. And thanks to that, I’ve gone 90 years without ever getting sick.”
Although his personal experience is remarkable, no single diet can guarantee disease prevention or exceptional longevity. His continued commitment to training, nutrition, and an active lifestyle remains a central part of his story.
One Final Competition at 93?
Despite competing at an age when most people have long since retired from athletics, Kanazawa is already thinking about his next challenge.
He revealed that he could return to the bodybuilding stage in three years, when he turns 93.
“I’m thinking I might give it one more go at 93. After that, I’ll probably have to retire.”
That would give him another opportunity to push the boundaries of competitive bodybuilding before stepping away from the sport.
For now, Kanazawa hopes his achievements encourage other older adults to remain physically active and pursue ambitious goals.
He believes determination and mental strength are just as important as physical conditioning.
“I want people to work hard just as I have,” he told Reuters.
Kanazawa may not have returned from Spain with a first-place trophy, but his presence onstage at 90 years old was an accomplishment in itself. With another potential competition on the horizon, the Japanese bodybuilder is showing no signs of abandoning the sport he loves.
Image embed via Instagram @gmanews/Reuters
