LIHUE Taylor Shigemoto became the first International Federation of Body Building winner from Kauai when he earned four first place awards, and four IFBB professional cards during the 2019 Team Collegiate Masters National Championships that wrapped up July 20 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
LIHUE — Taylor Shigemoto became the first International Federation of Body Building winner from Kauai when he earned four first place awards, and four IFBB professional cards during the 2019 Team Collegiate Masters National Championships that wrapped up July 20 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Shigemoto entered two separate categories in two age groups, securing first place honors in The Classic Physique, Class A featuring athletes from 5 feet, 5 inches to 5 feet, 6 inches and weighing up to 170 pounds. He competed in this class in the 35 and older, and the 40 and older age groups.
He also topped The Body Building Welterweight Class featuring athletes up to 165.25 pounds in two age groups.
His IFBB professional cards came in both the Classic Physique where he earned first place honors in both the category and his age group. The other two cards came in the Body Building contest where he was required to earn first place in the contest and age group.
Shigemoto finished third in both age groupings in the seven overall weight/age classes to earn his final IFBB professional card which was presented to the top four winners in the age divisions.
“Getting one pro card in this sport is considered quite an accomplishment because of the keen competition at the national level,” said Tom Shigemoto, Taylor’s father. “Congratulations to Taylor for earning four cards.”
“Taylor is no stranger to appearances in TGI Sports following his successes in other state amateur body building competitions,” Tom said. “Those awards enabled him to pursue his personal goal of competing in national body building contests to earn the professional card.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
