Yasuei Yakushiji: Fit for a Champ
Yasuei Yakushiji
As part of our effort to understand what lies behind Japanese longevity and fitness, we will profile both regular and outstanding Japanese people and learn what they do to keep themselves fit and healthy. Today we look at a former professional boxer and learn that turning 41 doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
Yasuei Yakushiji understands punishment. The kind of punishment a body can take and still keep going. The 41 year old former world champion boxer defended the WBC bantamweight title four times during his career before hanging up his gloves at the age of 27. While the average professional boxer can expect to see his weight more than double after retiring from the sport, Yakushiji kept up his training activities after retiring and now after 15 years he tips the scale at only 67 kilograms and less than 13% body fat. Retirement didn’t mean rest and leisure for him. Yakushiji kept up his traning program though not strenuous as when he prepared for a fight. Yakushiji wanted to start a new life and set new goals. Most of all, he wanted to set a good example for his two children; An example of professional dedication and commitment to a healthy body.
I first met Yakushiji about two years ago when I started looking for a place to train. I always loved the sport and thought boxing would be a great way to burn fat and develop endurance for my long distance cycling trips. Yakushiji’s boxing gym and fitness center is located in Nagoya City Japan. Many local pro fighters train there and it’s always a treat to watch the sparring sessions. Very little can compare to the training a boxer goes through before a fight. Boxers need to build strength, endurance, speed and muscles. For this, they run, jump rope, spar, lift weights and even take in the occasional Yoga class to build flexibility.
Recently, after an early morning work out, I sat with Yakushiji and his Hawaiian born former trainer Mack “Mr. Miyagi” Kurihara, to talk about fitness. During his boxing days, Yakushiji trained with Mack in California. Training in America allowed Yakushiji to learn new styles and workout regimens. But it also exposed him to some of the unhealthy choices Americans make in matters related to diet and lifestyle.
"miso soup, lean chicken and fish helped keep me within my weight limits without sacrificing my power reserves"
“I was surprised at how obsessed many Los Angelinos seemed with fitness, yet many looked overweight and unhealthy,” he observed. “Mack kept me on a strict training diet and even forced me to eat left-handed with chopsticks. “
Yakushiji continues, “When I returned to Japan, I realized that many of the foods I grew up eating in Japan were perfectly suited for my pre-fight training regimen. The miso soup, lean chicken and fish helped keep me within my weight limits without sacrificing my power reserves. I could train, build muscle mass and burn fat without starving myself like so many other fighters did to meet weight demands.”
Besides owning and managing a popular boxing gym in Nagoya, Yakushiji hosts a weekly television show about collectible cars and is a sought after personality for many Japanese variety shows. Being in the spotlight forces him to maintain his physique and health. Yakushiji works out at the gym several times a week and limits his alcohol intake as much as possible. Before most meals, he will usually eat a salad followed by some vegetable juice. This helps his digestion as well as lessens the need to eat over eat.
"I usually meet with a group of boxers that train at my gym around 6:30 in the morning"
“I like running every morning. I usually meet with a group of boxers that train at my gym around 6:30 in the morning. We run about ten kilometers weather permitting. If it’s raining, we’ll run up and down the eleven flights of my apartment building about ten times. This keeps the heart strong and gives me enough energy for the rest of the day.”
I asked Yakushiji what kind of shape he would like to be in when he hits 80,
“I want the body of a world champion boxer”, he said.
Judging from how well he looks now, I think his odds are pretty good.
Fit like a Champ!
