Japanese IFBB Pro bodybuilder Hidetada Yamagishi told Dennis James that he retired from the sport. Yamagishi’s successful career spanned 17 years which is longer than most at this elite level. He is one of the most influential Japanese bodybuilders of all time. However, at 48 years old, it seems he’s ready to move on from the sport.
HIDETADA YAMAGISHI RETIRES
The official announcement that Hidetada Yamagishi retired came from the man himself while appearing on The Menace Podcast, hosted by Dennis James.
James asks both Yamagishi and the legend Iris Kyle if they’re officially retired as to which Yamagishi replied, “I’m officially retired, I’ve done everything I wanted. I did the 2020 Olympia, and during the prep, I knew it would be my last show. I was happy I did it, but I knew I didn’t belong there physique-wise.”
WHO IS HIDETADA YAMAGISHI?
Hidetada “ Hide” Yamagishi is an IFBB pro bodybuilder originally from Japan, born in 1977. The now 48-year-old grew up playing sports and got into weightlifting while in high school. His first competitive bodybuilding competition came in 2005, where he finished in seventh place at the Ironman Pro. In 2007 Yamagishi qualified for the Olympia, where he placed 13th.
In 2008 Yamagishi was arrested in California and spent 65 days in prison for the possession and alleged distribution of steroids. All felony charges were eventually dropped against Yamagishi. Then in 2010, his first big win came at the Europa Show of Champions. Then he moved down into the 212 division, where he took first at the 2014 Tampa Pro.
Yamagishi’s biggest win came in 2016, where he placed first at the Arnold Classic in the 212 division. Over the next few years, he did well but didn’t win a major show again until 2019, where he won the Europa Dallas Pro in the 212 and the Monsterzym Pro 212. The last competition that he competed in was in the 2020 Olympia, where he placed 14th.
Yamagishi has a total of 5 big wins plus 10 Olympia appearances. He now runs Powerhouse Gym in Las Vegas, alongside one of the best female bodybuilders of all time, the 10 time Ms. Olympia, Iris Kyle.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Yamagishi had a great career, and we respect these athletes who recognize when their time is up. He brought the possibility of bodybuilding to Japan and probably introduced the sport to more people than most could hope for. We hate to see him go, but we wish him well in his future endeavors.
Kiel DiGiovanni
Author