I was recently reminded that having fun in Japan does not have to be a "Japanese experinece". Flower arrangement, tea ceremony, and things like sumo are fine and great. Still, keep your eyes open and have a sense of adventure, and you'll find opportunities that may not be purely "Japanese" but may very well be one of your best experiences in Japan. One such example is the NPCJ North Japan Sendai Open. I interviewed competitor Jeffrey Hales to learn more.
Could you tell me about the event you recently competed in?
On October 10, 2015 the North Japan Sendai Open Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini and Physique Championship was held. This annual happening is a unique event with an atmosphere that one may not usually find in Japan, especially in the Tohoku region. As the title suggests, there are several different classes in which competitors from around Japan and even overseas can compete in.
How has body building developed? How did you become interested?
Bodybuilding has changed immensely since the famed Arnold Schwarzenegger brought the sport into the public's eye during the early 1970's. One of these changes has included the introduction of a new “Physique” class which, rather than pure muscle size, focuses more on what is aesthetically pleasing to the observer. To give a rough definition one might compare physique competitors to the fitness models on the cover of Men’s Fitness magazine. It is the muscular body that many gym-goers aspire to attain. As such, many bodybuilding competitions include a physique class as well.
My interest in weight-lifting was sparked by my high school gym teacher, Mae Miya. She introduced me to Olympic lifting and the benefits weight lifting offers both physically and mentally. Since then I have made physical training an important part of my daily life, and while lifting is not as popular in Japan as it is in America, the sport is slowly gaining momentum here as well. As such, when the owner of the gym I go to told me of the Tohoku tournament, I decided to enter the competition as a competitor in the physique class.
Any advice tips for hopeful competitors?
Preparation for such a competition takes months of training, careful attention to diet, and resolute self-discipline. Additionally, when one lives in Japan the number of dinner and drinking parties with co-workers and friends presents a challenge as such events always feature a wealth of savory food and drink from which one must abstain. Consequently, one might state with reasonable certainty that when competing in any kind of bodybuilding competition self-discipline is paramount to success.
Is the hard work worth it?
The months of hard work and self-control pay off once you step on stage and hear the fans cheer you on. It was an exhilarating experience to be a competitor and certainly entertaining for audience members. I competed in the over 170cm below 175cm category and took first in my division.
For those interested in entering a competition please do so! All are welcome! So, please visit the NPCJ website (https://apf.inc/) for more information on entry fees, dates, and venues. Tickets to attend tournaments vary according to the venue and size of the tournament and can also be found at the NPCJ website. The next tournament will be the NPCJ All Japan Legends Classic held in Tokyo on November 11. If you have time and are looking for a fun and entertaining event to go to please check it out and maybe I'll see you there!
Congratulations on your victory and thank you for your time.
As an audience member, events like these are very entertaining. All competitors are serious, though most are surprisingly light-hearted. Take competitor Pink Yuji, for example. He is a popular local bodybuilder which enjoys dressing in pink with heavy makeup. He is always full of energy and shares his message of positivity around Miyagi Prefecture's capital. He was a fan favorite this year. Sometimes these events even have children categories, so you can see everything from tiny titans to colossal iron lifters. The figure and bikini categories are also popular with both men and women. With my average body type, by the end of the day I felt half motivation and half obligation to incorporate a little more exercise into my life. In either case, it was an inspirational and unforgettable time.
This year the Sendai event was held at the Wakabayashi Bunka Center. Event locations vary, but host cities generally stay the same each year. See the website for details.
