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Natural bodybuilder Torre Washington just became the first vegan athlete to compete at Mr Olympia in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 52.
In addition to being the first vegan competitor, Washington has been described as the event’s first “natty” competitor. This means that Washington relies on just training and diet to gain muscle, and has a blood test declaring him free from anabolic steroids.
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Washington said, “I’ve spent most of my adult life showing what is possible when you train with purpose and live according to your values. Making it to the Olympia stage at this point in my career is bigger than one contest. I want people to see that you can build strength, muscle and longevity without compromising what you believe in.”
While vegans have previously competed and won at other Mr Olympia events, Washington told Plant Based News (PBN) in 2025 that he was preparing to be “the first to go as a vegan and natural” to the Las Vegas Mr Olympia competition, in particular, which he described as “the biggest one in the world.”
Washington competed at the 2025 Ben Weider Naturals Pro in November last year. He took first place in the Open Masters and Masters 40 classes, which qualified him to attend Mr Olympia 2026. In May last year, Washington also took first place in two categories at the IFBB Pro League bodybuilding competition at the age of 50 and after nearly 30 years of veganism. The plant-based bodybuilder and fitness coach is a lifelong vegetarian and has been vegan since 1998.
‘Vegetarian was my beginning’
Washington dedicated his IFBB Pro League victory to his mother, who passed away just days before the event. He told PBN that his victories at Ben Weider Naturals Pro meant “so much” to him because they came ahead of his mother’s birthday.
“My [mother] having raised me with health as the focal point of our life, vegetarian was my beginning,” Washington told PBN. “I started looking into the lifestyle of being a Rastafarian. I became vegan in 1998 and saw the plight of animals and wanted nothing to do with their demise at the hands of humans.”
Read more: ‘Veganism Is A Fight For A More Just World,’ Says Vegan MMA Fighter
‘I don’t need to end the life of a sentient being in order to get nutrition’
In addition to his bodybuilding career, Washington is a fitness coach and trainer specializing in “bodies over 40.” He offers private coaching and various guides.
“I love that I can help people see another way, and the animals know there is an advocate for them competing at an elite level,” Washington said.
He previously told PBN that his mother “sacrificed so much” to have Washington attend college, working many hours and “always” giving more to others above herself. “Her kindness and care for our healthy lifestyle lives on in me today,” Washington said. “I don’t need to end the life of a sentient being in order to get nutrition,” he added.
On training days, he said he typically eats both regular and fava bean-based tofu, seitan, Japanese sweet potatoes, rice cakes, almond butter, avocado, spinach, and green beans. He told PBN that he also eats asparagus, broccoli, lentils, plenty of fruit, and supplements from plant-based company Vedge Nutrition.
“The plant-based [diet] has been helpful with my recovery and being able to eat a variety of foods without feeling restricted,” Washington said. Last year, shortly after his IFBB Pro League victories, he said that his next steps included qualifying for Mr Olympia. Writing on Instagram, Washington described it as a “dream manifested.”
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