Hidetada Yamagishi to compete in the Atlantic City Pro
by Allan Donnelly
August 22, 2008
FLEXONLINE.COM
We received an email this morning from beleaguered IFBB pro Hidetada Yamagishi, and it appears things have finally taken a turn for the better in his quest to compete: Yamagishi’s visa has been approved, and he will be allowed to enter the United States. As a result, Yamagishi – a citizen of Japan – will compete at the Atlantic City Pro on September 12-13.
It will be the first time Yamagishi has competed since placing 13th at the 2007 Mr. Olympia. Two months after that competition, on December 8, 2007, Yamagishi was arrested upon arriving at Los Angeles International airport and charged with nine counts of possession of controlled substances, including six felonies and three misdemeanors. All but one of the counts were eventually dismissed save for one misdemeanor conviction. As a result of the misdemeanor conviction, however, Yamagishi’s 01 Visa – given to people with extraordinary talents and abilities – was revoked.
Yamagishi had planned on making his return at the Tampa Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championships on August 9. However, complications with his visa forced him to change those plans. But those complications are no longer a factor.
