Respect Your Elders! (Especially This 74-Year-Old Bodybuilder)

Posted on Sep 30th 2009 12:00PM by Kristen Seymour

Filed Under: Fitness

Tsumoto Tosaka isn't your average septuagenarian. At 74, he's in such amazing shape that he recently took the top spot in the Japan Masters Bodybuilding Championship (held, fittingly, just a day before Japan's Respect for the Aged Day).

And just in case you're thinking that the only way to create a body like Tosaka's is to start lifting at an early age, know this -- Tosaka didn't begin weightlifting until he was in his 40s!

Tosaka told Reuters that he wants to send a message to other senior citizens: "Anyone can stay young and healthy if they exercise from time to time," he said. Many of his fellow countrymen are obviously already aware of this -- Japan has the longest life expectancy in the world, with more than 40,000 people over the age of 100.

Looking for more finely-aged inspiration? Just guess how many marathons this 81-year-old has completed!

12 Comment

Tags: age, bodybuilding, senior citizens, SeniorCitizens, seniors, weightlifting

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mark weatherly 9-30-2009 @ 3:33PM

very inspirational

CINDY 9-30-2009 @ 3:50PM

I agree that it's VERY INSPIRATIONAL!! I used to be into bodybuilding and was in EXCELLENT shape when I stopped at age 48!! I'm now 53, but after seeing this guy, feel like going back to it!! Compared to him, I'm a SPRING CHICKEN! I think I'm going to give serious thought to purchasing some free weights!! As Nike says............."JUST DO IT"!!!!!!

Bee 9-30-2009 @ 4:29PM

OMG!!! Amazing! gives me such hopes. WOW!!!

Sally G 9-30-2009 @ 5:16PM

Does anyone remember Charles Atlas? The original 97-pound-weakling turned body-building-contest winner from mid-20th-century? There was an article in Smithsonian magazine recently; he sold mail-order isometric-type body-building plans. I was surprised to learn that his company is still alive in northern N.J. He started a an older teen or young adult, to defend his girlfriend—a comic-book hero come to life.
This is another great story, from another part of the globe.
Congratulations, Mr. Tosaka! Best of health and long life!

Lizzychan 9-30-2009 @ 4:33PM

the man looks like hes in his 50's, not mid 70's! Goes to show that exercise really does keep you young!

Dr. I.M. Spence-Lewis 9-30-2009 @ 4:52PM

Wellll...He looks more than great!

Of course you are speaking to the converted because I try to do more walking and less driving. Further I know many people who are fit and in fine shape. It is not an impossible task. Fitness ought to be a part of everyone's grooming.

I showed his picture to someone at the school (young female)and it was said that they didn't 'look that good'.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Dr. I.M. Spence-Lewis

Gary 10-03-2009 @ 4:21PM

Let me see, you showed the picture to a student and the student replied he did not look that good?

I'm trying to think of a polite way to say that she is a moron...he looks GREAT! For him to still have that level of development at his age is phenomenal.

She shouldn't knock what she doesn't know or try...

Dr. I.M. Spence-Lewis 10-04-2009 @ 10:38AM

Gary;

It was not the intent of the statement to detract from
Mr. Tsumoto Tosaka's efforts in any form.

The student was stating that his remarkable physique indicated that he was in better shape then her.

Further I was impressed with his graceful movements. This suggested that he may have been doing Aikido in addition to his machine exercises. He doesnot appear to be eating an excess of animal protein.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Dr. I.M. Spence-Lewis

Mary 10-01-2009 @ 9:52AM

Damn... if more 74 year old men looked like that it wouldn't be so gross when they hit on you!!

Rick 9-30-2009 @ 6:13PM

LOL! He'll probably get run over by a bus crossing the street!

BarbaraAnn 9-30-2009 @ 6:17PM

He could give most American's some valuable lessons for sure! He really looks great and not his age at all. How very inspiring...

Cheryl 9-30-2009 @ 8:06PM

Tsumoto Tosaka ~~WOW! I "laka,laka,laka!" I like the looks of this man and too, since our Company was bought by Japanese, let him be a package deal with the sale. 74?, He looks as good as a 20 year old. GREAT BODY, WOW!