Hidetada Yamagishi will defend his Masters Olympia title before retiring from bodybuilding.
Men’s 212 bodybuilder Hidetada Yamagishi has enjoyed a successful career that has spanned across three decades. He has won on many stages over the course of his career and that includes the 2023 Masters Olympia. The show will return this year in Tokyo and Yamagishi will return in what he confirmed will be his final show.
“Should I do it? I just decided that I’m going to go for it and do my last show, my very last show.”
Yamagishi mulled over the decision to return to the Masters Olympia and it was not guaranteed. He joined OlympiaTV to discuss how he came to the decision to defend his 212 title.
“I didn’t wanna do it, this show. Last show, it was perfect for me, win then go. That was the perfect scenario for me.”
Yamagishi has won on the biggest stages over the course of his career. He initially retired from competition in 2022 but made the decision to compete at the Masters Olympia once the show made its return in 2023.
Hidetada Yamagishi Announces Final Competition
The 2025 Masters Olympia is set to return in Tokyo on August 9-10. The show did not take place last season but is on the schedule once again toward the end of the year.
For Yamagishi, it will be a special event as he takes the stage in his home country for the first time.
“Believe it or not, this is my very first Pro show in Japan. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t imagine being on the stage as a Japanese professional bodybuilder standing on the stage in Tokyo.”
In 2014, Hidetada Yamagishi moved to the 212 division and won Tampa Pro that same year. This was one of five victories for Yamagishi during his career. He also competed at the Olympia 10 times. Yamagishi also won the Europa Pro Dallas and Monsterzym Pro in 2019. His biggest moment came in 2016 when he won the Arnold Classic in the 212 division.
During the 2023 event, Yamagishi entered with no expectations at all. He did not expect to win and would have been happy with a high placing.
“I was so fortunate I won but my mindset was, I’d be happy in Top 10. I won and that was a surprise to me.”
Yamagishi stepped on a professional stage for the first time in 2005 during the Ironman Pro. He finished second in the event and this jumpstarted his career. In 2007, Yamagishi was able to qualify for the Olympia and finished 13th. It was not until 2010 that Yamagishi won his first professional show at the Europa Show of Champions.
Now, he has a chance to go out as a champion in Tokyo.
“Win or lose, I’ll just do my best and show my very best physique to Japanese fans.”
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