Japanese bodybuilding legend Toshisuke Kanazawa is proving that age is no obstacle to extraordinary physical fitness after winning his 19th national title just one day after celebrating his 90th birthday, before taking the international stage at the 2026 IFBB World Fitness Championships in Santa Susanna, Spain, on October 30.
SANTA SUSANNA, Spain — Japanese bodybuilding legend Toshisuke Kanazawa is proving that age is no barrier to strength, discipline, and determination after competing in the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) World Fitness Championships in Spain at the age of 90.
Kanazawa, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, continues to inspire the fitness community after securing his 19th national bodybuilding title just one day after reaching the milestone. He won the 85-and-over category at the All Japan Masters Bodybuilding Championships, adding another remarkable achievement to his decades-long career.
On Friday, October 30, the nonagenarian travelled to Santa Susanna, a coastal town on Spain’s Costa del Maresme, to compete in the masters category against athletes aged 50 and older. Although many of his competitors were decades younger, Kanazawa demonstrated that dedication to physical fitness can extend well beyond traditional retirement age.
Behind the scenes, he followed the same preparations as younger bodybuilders, warming up with his team and applying competition spray tan before stepping onto the stage under the bright lights. While he did not secure a podium finish at the international competition, his participation at 90 was an extraordinary achievement in itself.
“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 said, explaining his determination to continue challenging the limits of human fitness.
His remarkable longevity in bodybuilding is rooted in a career that began in the 1950s. Kanazawa established himself as one of Japan’s notable bodybuilding figures after winning the prestigious Mr. Japan title in 1960 and 1963.
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He eventually retired from competitive bodybuilding at 34 but returned to the sport in his 50s, reigniting his passion for muscle development and physical conditioning. Since then, he has continued competing, demonstrating remarkable consistency and commitment to maintaining his physique.
Kanazawa also credits his health and physical condition to his traditional Japanese diet, which includes brown rice, natto, miso soup, and eggs. He explained that he adopted this eating approach after turning 50 and has maintained a lifestyle that excludes smoking and alcohol.
“Ever since I turned 50, I’ve been building muscle by eating a purely Japanese diet: brown rice, natto, and miso soup,” he said.
The Japanese bodybuilding veteran believes that maintaining a disciplined lifestyle, combined with a strong mindset, has played an important role in his ability to remain active and competitive at an advanced age.
Despite reaching 90, Kanazawa has not completely ruled out another appearance on the bodybuilding stage. He revealed that he hopes to compete once more when he turns 93 before eventually bringing his competitive career to a close.
“I’m thinking I might give it one more go at 93. After that, I’ll probably have to retire,” he said.
Beyond his personal achievements, Kanazawa hopes his journey will encourage older people to remain physically active, pursue their ambitions, and avoid allowing age to dictate what they can accomplish.
He emphasized that determination and mental strength are essential to achieving long-term goals, regardless of a person’s age.
“Once you set your mind to something, you need to develop the mental strength and determination to see it through no matter what,” Kanazawa said.
For Kanazawa, bodybuilding is more than a competition or a pursuit of physical appearance. It represents a lifelong commitment to self-improvement, discipline, and perseverance.
His appearance at the 2026 IFBB World Fitness Championships in Spain serves as a powerful reminder that staying active and pursuing personal goals do not necessarily have an age limit. At 90, with 19 national titles to his name, the Japanese bodybuilder continues to show that determination can remain strong even when the years continue to pass.
As he looks toward a possible final competition at 93, Kanazawa’s extraordinary journey stands as an inspiration to older generations and aspiring athletes around the world. / Reuters / AP
