A typical axiom about having fun with life is that “you’re only as old as you are feeling.” For one seasoned Japanese bodybuilder with a stellar physique — who continues to compete and train at a later stage of his life — it seems he’s taking this mentality straight to the guts.

Toshisuke Kanazawa is an 86-year-old bodybuilder from Hiroshima, Japan. On Oct. 9, 2022, he stepped on stage on the 2022 Japan Bodybuilding Championships, which is a contest under the umbrella of the Japan Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (JBBF). In accordance with a translated report from the Japanese every day national newspaper, The Mainichi, Kanazawa’s appearance on said stage broke his record from 2021 by making him the oldest athlete to ever compete on the Japan Championships.

[Related: 4 Workouts with a Single Dumbbell for Muscle, Fat Loss, and More]

Kanazawa didn’t have a high finish at the competition, failing to qualify for the highest 12, but that result doesn’t appear to hassle him. If anything, it appears he’s more appreciative of continued friendly competition.

“I’m grateful for just with the ability to participate,” Kanazawa told The Mainichi. “I hope I can reach the hearts of others after they see me tackle a challenge, even in old age.”

That aside, Kanazawa already has a decorated resume of accomplishments.

In his mid-20s, the Japanese athlete won the title of “Mister Japan” twice in 4 years. After he retired on the age of 34, Kanazawa showed his resolve, fitness, and strength when he would later make a comeback at age 50. Per The Mainichi, over the course of his illustrious profession, Kanazawa was a Japanese champion 15 times (13 of which were Masters titles; ages 40-plus), even winning a championship at 57 years old.

Before Kanazawa took part within the recent Japan Bodybuilding Championships, his most up-to-date contest was the 2022 Japan Masters Championships, held in August in Hokkaido, Japan. Kanazawa finished in second place. He would profess to The Mainichi about that competition, saying, “I’m still not anywhere near the finish line. It’s vital to maintain setting goals and taking up challenges regardless of how old you’re.”

[Related: How to Do the Inverted Row — Benefits, Variations, and More]

Kanazawa isn’t slowing down plans for skilled bodybuilding any time soon. The athlete will probably be a component of the upcoming International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Masters World Championships on Nov. 6, 2022, where he’ll change into the oldest-ever participant in that contest, as well. Beyond that, it looks like there’s still loads of runway left for this uniquely motivated competitor.

“I need to compete until I’m 90,” Kanazawa said to The Mainichi. “And I’d wish to set myself for instance to other grandpas and grandmas on this planet by living healthy until 100.”

Featured image: @toshisuke.kanazawa on Instagram