http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/691/
By Cary Osborne
Signal Sports Editor
cosborne@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x530
Posted: March 7, 2008 2:47 a.m.
<script type=”text/javascript”>document.write(writeModDate(”
March 7, 2008 4:55 a.m.”));</script>Updated: March 7, 2008 4:55 a.m.
He’s 55 years old. Once a judo champion, Valencia resident Bobby Yamasaki spends more time these days on weightlifting.
The soft-spoken man was training one morning and caught the eye of a former bodybuilder named Aram Nersesian who believed, despite never competing, Yamasaki could be a bodybuilding champion.
At 55, Yamasaki took the stage for the first time.
Fifty-somethings win bodybuilding titles
http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/1284/
By Chelsea Rhodes
For The Signal
Posted: April 8, 2008 2:14 a.m.
<script type=”text/javascript”>document.write(writeModDate(”
April 8, 2008 4:35 a.m.”));</script>Updated: April 8, 2008 4:35 a.m.
Local residents Bobby Yamasaki and Jesse Montemayor competed in two separate bodybuilding competitions recently, both taking first place in the Masters 50 and older division and third in the open competition.
Yamasaki competed in the Max Muscle Natural Bodybuilding Championship March 29.
The competition was one of two that Yamasaki has taken part in, both ending in first place finishes in the Masters 50 and over division.
The open competition allowed every adult age group to compete and consisted of 12 competitors, mostly in their 20s.
“I wanted to see how I matched up with people half my age,” Yamasaki said The accomplishments are unique because he recently started bodybuilding.
At 55 years old, Yamasaki has only been in two competitions. His first was in December at the NPC Excalibur Bodybuilding Championship in Culver City.
Yamasaki’s next competition will be May 24 at the California State Bodybuilding Championship.
After the California State Bodybuilding Championship, Yamasaki hopes to compete nationally.
As for Montemayor, he has already been awarded titles such as Mr. Los Angeles Natural and Mr. Natural Universe.
Montemayor, 52, retired from competition on a positive note after taking first and third at the Iron Gladiator Bodybuilding competition Saturday.
“It was a good feeling (to win). I knew I was prepared,” Montemayor said.
Montemayor, who’s son Brandon is the head coach for the Canyon High baseball team, began bodybuilding at the age of 39.
Within his first year, he became Mr. Universe and later received the same title in 2002.
In 1997, he competed at the ESPN Muscle Mania Championship, where bodybuilders from all over the world come to vie for a title, and placed second in the Masters 40 and over division.
Montemayor took three years off of bodybuilding to get his bachelor’s in business at the University of Phoenix. He will soon be graduating with academic honors.
While still in school, he returned to bodybuilding for one last competition.
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