"The main thing I want people to understand is that bodybuilding is the real thing. Bodybuilders are doing what all athletes are doing -- dieting, working out. There are no secrets to it. But, if all people see is a bunch of oiled, near-naked guys striking poses up on stage, they're going to think it's pretty weird. If people understood the process, maybe they'd think differently."
Koichi Aikawa, 31, speaks with conviction, and a charming optimism. The "process" those people on stage have to go through requires an incredible amount of knowledge and dieting know-how. And, of course, they've had to train incredibly hard. Aikawa knows it.
As one of Japan's top bodybuilders, Aikawa has often been one of those oiled, near-naked guys on stage. Starting Oct. 3, too, he will be one of Japan's eight bodybuilding representatives at the Asian Games in Pusan, South Korea -- the first time bodybuilding has been in the event's lineup of 38 sports.