Hidetada Yamagishi is making a comeback and previously retired, he will return at the 2023 Masters Olympia. Recently, he spoke with Rich Gaspari about his decision. According to Yamagishi, he’s training hard and eager to compete again. Clearly, his love for the sport remains strong.
Over the years, Yamagishi left a lasting impact in the IFBB Pro League. Notably, his feathered quads and balanced upper body made him stand out. During the 2000s, he switched between the 212 and Open divisions. As a result, he qualified for the Mr. Olympia in both.
However, his best Olympia finish came in 2015. That year, he took third in the 212 division behind Jose Raymond and Flex Lewis. After retiring, Yamagishi shifted his focus to YouTube. There, he shared his training and insights with fans.
Now, the return of Masters Olympia has pulled him back in. Undoubtedly, his comeback adds excitement to the event. Fans will watch closely as he prepares to take the stage again.
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The Masters Olympia is finally returning after an 11-year break. This comeback is set for August 25–27 at the BT Arena in Cluj Napoca, Romania. Naturally, many bodybuilding fans are excited to see the event revived. However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm.
Recently, concerns have emerged about the event’s execution. Specifically, bodybuilding legend Victor Martinez questioned the incentives for athletes. In response, organizers revealed the total prize money for all 10 divisions. Reportedly, the amount stands at $229,000.
Still, reactions have been mixed. Some believe the payout is reasonable. Others, however, remain skeptical about the event’s overall credibility.
Hidetada Yamagishi Commits to Returning to Top Form for 2023 Masters Olympia in August and Reflects on Career
Bodybuilding veteran Hidetada Yamagishi, known in the sport as “Hide,” is coming out of retirement to compete in the Masters Olympia competition later this year. The event, which is set to take place on August 25-27 in Romania, will be Yamagishi’s first competition in 11 years.
Despite being the owner of a supplement company, Yamagishi sees the competition as a win-win situation for him. He believes that competing in the Masters Olympia will provide him with more content for his YouTube channel, which features videos of his workouts, training tips, and supplement reviews.
Yamagishi, who will turn 50 in June, has submitted his application for the competition and is eagerly awaiting the decision of the organizers, who will pick the athletes on April 25th. He is hoping to be selected for the Masters 212 Over 40 category.
“I’m doing Bodi Cafe, YouTube — if I compete, everything goes good. It’s simple. If I compete, the more content, the more content for gym,” Yamagishi said. “It’s a great coincidence they put Masters Olympia back.”
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Recently, Hidetada Yamagishi made a clear statement about his return to bodybuilding. Importantly, he emphasized that his decision is not driven by money. Instead, he sees the sport as the vehicle that helped him achieve the American Dream. “I’m not making money from competing, I’m spending money,” Yamagishi said. “But still, bodybuilding has made me in this position. It made my American Dream come true.”
At his last contest, Yamagishi placed 14th in the 212 division at the 2020 Olympia. Reflecting on that performance, he admitted he didn’t feel he belonged on the Olympia stage. “To be honest, I wasn’t belonging there, but I just competed because I qualified,” he explained. “So that was the last time.”
In addition, Yamagishi opened up about past struggles with his arms. Specifically, he believes a nerve issue hindered his biceps development. “Looking back, I switched to 212 around 2014, 2013. And last time I competed as an Open, I think it was 2012,” he recalled. “Before that time, I was competing just—you know, I dieted, I didn’t really think about it. I just competed and did it well.”
However, things began to change. “Then everything clicked. Then in 2012, I started doubting myself because something wasn’t right,” he said. “When I was in prep, I wasn’t getting in shape as quickly as I used to. I started seeing some body parts missing, especially my biceps. Now, I think it’s a nerve issue or something.”
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The upcoming Masters Olympia event has caught the attention of many fans, with speculation growing over who will compete. Although initial hopes were high that Lee Priest might come out of retirement, he clarified that he will not be competing due to chest atrophy.
Meanwhile, the last Masters Olympia winner, Dexter Jackson, is a likely favorite if he decides to enter the competition. However, with approximately five months remaining until the event, the final lineup for the show is still taking shape. Popular 212 talent Kamal Elgargni has expressed interest in the Masters Open but said his decision will depend on the prize money. Other high-profile names, such as Johnnie Jackson, are also weighing their options.
Courtesy Image @Hidetada Yamagishi (Instagram)
