Japanese Muscle

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Michiko Nishiwaki and Yurie Iijima were perhaps two of Japans most revered FBBs during the 80's and 90's. Yurie Iijima took it to the next level and was probably the most extreme FBB to come out of Japan and compete in the IFBB from 1988-1999. Interestingly, Aki Nishimoto and possibly Tomoko Kanda followed suit. Aki was very popular in Japan according to what Tomoko has told me. I think Aki's track record speaks for itself: '98 Asian Championships (heavy-w): first prize / '99, '04, '05 All Japan: first prize. I may have missed a few competitions, but she is "4 times Ms.Japan (**very strict drug-tested contest)".

So the look of Japans once most esteemed FBB, Yurie Iijima (short, solid, robust, and shredded, with exaggerated muscle bellies), became overshadowed by Aki Nishimoto's taller, leaner, proportionate, and shredded look, which became what the Japanese populace today regard as awe-striking. Interesting.


 

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Direct from Muscle Memory. Aki's record as is:

1997

Ms Japan - JBBF, 3rd

1998

Asian Amateur Championships - IFBB, HeavyWeight, 1st
Ms Japan - JBBF, 2nd

1999

Ms Japan - JBBF, Winner

2001

Ms Japan - JBBF, 2nd

2004

Ms Japan - JBBF, Winner

2005

Ms Japan - JBBF, Winner
World Games, HeavyWeight, 9th

2006

Ms Japan - JBBF, Winner
World Amateur Championships - IFBB, MiddleWeight, 10th

2007

Ms Japan - JBBF, Winner
World Amateur Championships - IFBB, HeavyWeight, Did not place

2008

Ms Japan - JBBF, Winner

2009

Ms Japan - JBBF, Winner
World Amateur Championships - IFBB, HeavyWeight, Did not place

Aki dominated Japans bodybuilding scene for nearly a decade as their premier (natural) FBB. 

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I forgot to mention Utako Mizuma who was also a prominent figure in Japanese BB. Unlike Yurie, she was not as extreme, but can be considered the archetypical FBB that Japan wanted to represent their country, hence Aki Nishimoto.