The Men’s Physique competitor will make history in 2026.
Bodybuilding is a sport that has been around for decades but even today, there are ways for history to be made. In November, Men’s Physique competitor Torre Washington became the first-ever vegan competitor to qualify for the Olympia.
Washington took the stage during the Ben Weider Naturals Pro on Nov. 23 in Men’s Physique. Not only was he victorious in the Masters division, but the vegan bodybuilder won the Pro Open, earning a spot in the 2026 Olympia. When his hand was raised as the winner, he made bodybuilding history and carved a new path for vegan competitors.
“Vegan going to @mrolympiallc“
Washington has been completely vegan since 1998. He has described his diet plan to Vegnews as centered around staples such as tofu, lentils, and oatmeal. He also takes in plenty of fruits and vegetables. Washington has avoided drastic changes in weight as his physique remains basically the same during the offseason as when he is competing. According to Washington, his life of plant-based diets has not hindered his potential as a bodybuilder.
“People have been telling me for years that I could not build this kind of physique without meat or steroids. Now I am stepping onto the Mr. Olympia stage as living proof that you can be fully vegan, all natural, steroid-free, and still stand with the best in the world.”
Despite what many experts now believe a strictly meat based protein diet can achieve, a vegan protein diet is a legitimate way to build quality muscle mass while balancing your gut health. Washington is living proof in the bodybuilding world and will now set his sights solely on the 2026 Olympia.
Are Vegan Proteins Effective?
The proof is in the tub; it is absolutely possible to build muscle on a vegan diet, and vegan bodybuilding is becoming increasingly popular. The principles are the same; you need to eat the right amount of calories with the right macronutrientbalances. If you do that with a plant-based diet, you may find that you have more energy, you recover quicker, and you are ready to tackle new challenges.
All that being said, if you are a vegan bodybuilder, then it becomes even more important to supplement with a vegan protein, as vegan foods do not always have enough protein in them. An extra protein boost that your body can easily absorb could be essential to your vegan diet, especially after working out. What are you waiting for? Ditch out the whey for pea and rice protein. If you are looking for a quality, all-natural product, we recommend Nutricost Pea Protein.
Plant-based and vegan proteins are great options to rival whey protein for those sensitive to dairy, following a vegan diet, or just curious about other protein options. The right protein powder will give you great benefits to growth, recovery, and weight loss and these vegan powders are perfect for athletes of all sports.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
