Hidetada Yamagishi, a prominent figure in the Men’s Open and 212 Bodybuilding scene, has decided to come out of retirement to compete in the upcoming Masters Olympia competition. In an interview with Rich Gaspari, Yamagishi revealed that he is training hard and eager to step back on stage. This decision showcases the love and dedication he has for the sport of bodybuilding.
Hidetada Yamagishi’s impact in the IFBB Pro League has been significant since the beginning. His unique physique, featuring feathered quads and a well-balanced upper body, made him a formidable competitor. During the 2000s, Yamagishi frequently switched between two divisions and earned qualifications for the coveted Mr. Olympia contest in both 212 Bodybuilding and the Men’s Open.
Despite his achievements, Yamagishi’s best finish at the Olympia came in 2015 when he placed third in the 212 division, behind decorated pros Jose Raymond and seven-time 212 Olympia champion Flex Lewis. After retiring, Yamagishi started a growing YouTube channel that focused on his passion for bodybuilding. However, the lure of the returning Masters Olympia event proved too strong for him to resist, leading to his decision to return to the competitive stage.
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The highly anticipated return of the Masters Olympia competition after an 11-year hiatus has been met with mixed reactions. The competition is set to take place from August 25-27 at the BT Arena in Cluj Napoca, Romania. While many bodybuilding enthusiasts are thrilled about the return of the event, some are skeptical about the circumstances surrounding it.
Controversy arose when bodybuilding icon Victor Martinez publicly voiced his concerns about the incentives for competing in the Masters Olympia. In response, the event organizers disclosed the overall prize money for the 10 divisions, which has been set at $229,000. The announcement was met with mixed reactions, with some feeling that it was a fair amount, while others still expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the competition.
Former Bodybuilding Competitor Hidetada Yamagishi Commits to Returning to Top Form for 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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Yamagishi, a former bodybuilding competitor who retired a few years ago, recently announced that he will not be returning to the sport for financial gain. Instead, he believes that bodybuilding has already 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, the 49-year-old took 14th place in the 212 division of the 2020 Olympia contest. Yamagishi reflected on his performance and revealed that he didn’t feel like he belonged on the Olympia stage. “To be honest, I wasn’t belonging there but I just competed because I qualified so that was the last time,” he said.
In the past, Yamagishi experienced difficulties in building his arms, which he believes were caused by a nerve issue.
“Looking back, I switched to 212 around 2014, 2013. And last time I competed as an Open, I think it was 2012. Before that time, I was competing just you know, I diet, I didn’t really think about it or think about anything, I just competed and did it well. Then, everything clicked. Then, 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 be. I start seeing some body parts like 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)
