86-Year-Old Bodybuilder Breaks Own Record As Oldest Japanese Competitor

October 12, 2022

Toshisuke Kanazawa broke his own record as a bodybuilder by competing in the Japan Championships.

Toshisuke Kanazawa, an 86-year-old Japanese bodybuilder, has broken his own record by competing on stage during the Japan Bodybuilding Championships. He is once again the oldest competitor to take the stage in Japan.

The competition took place in Osaka on Oct. 9. Kanazawa was unable to reach the top 12 but will not give up on competing. He has spent much of his career going head-to-head with younger competitors and will not give up now.

“I’m grateful for just being able to participate. I hope I can reach the hearts of others when they see me take on a challenge even in old age.”

The Career of Toshisuke Kanazawa

Toshisuke Kanazawa developed a passion for fitness and bodybuilding at 20 years old. He quickly found success and won the Japan Championship on two separate occasions. His first came at 24 years old and he won once again three years later.

Kanazawa retired at age 34 but made a return to the stage at 50. This was to inspire his wife, who became sick. Kanazawa is a 15-time National Champion over the course of his career. Perhaps the most impressive feat was his second-place finish at the 34th edition of the competition last August.

Kanazawa has made it clear that he is not done competing and wants to continue to challenge himself.

“I’m still not anywhere near the finish line. It’s important to keep setting goals and taking on challenges, no matter how old you are.”

Toshisuke Kanazawa is not the only person to find success on stage at an older age. Renee Landers, a 69-year-old bodybuilding grandma, made headlines because of her new passion later in life. John LaFlamme is also on the scene as an extremely successful powerlifter at 71 years old.