Naotaka Yokokawa places 7th in Mr. Olympia 212-pound division

Japanese professional bodybuilder Naotaka Yokokawa placed 7th in the 212-pound division at the Mr. Olympia competition held in Las Vegas. This marked his debut in the prestigious international event, which he qualified for after winning the ALLOUT Presents ZeniX Japan Pro in August.

Yokokawa competed against top-tier athletes, including reigning champion Keyon Pearson, and successfully reached the top 10 finals. His performance was noted for its muscularity and posing precision. Following the competition, Yokokawa expressed deep frustration and disappointment via social media, stating, “I am so frustrated, it is all I can think about,” while also thanking his supporters and vowing to return to achieve victory.

The 7th-place finish is considered a significant achievement for a Japanese competitor in this division, echoing the success of legend Hidetada Yamagishi, who placed 3rd in 2015. Observers noted potential future rivalries between Yokokawa and other competitors such as Nihad Kaya, who placed 5th.