Age, just a number for Yoo

Ran Hee Yoo shows off the result of hours of training at the gym during last Saturday’s NMI Bodybuilding and Physique Championships. (Jon Perez)

Ran Hee Yoo showed everyone that age doesn’t matter in the sport of bodybuilding. The 64-year-old mother of two settled for second place against Star Gordon in their head-to-head in Saturday’s NMI Bodybuilding and Physique Championships.

To give you a brief background of Yoo, she was born two years after the Korean War, has two grown children—a girl and a boy—five grandkids, and four step great grandkids.

This is her first time to stand in front of a panel of judges and an audience to show off her physique wearing a two-piece bikini. She and Gordon competed in the Masters Women’s Physique category.

She said that she decided to join to inspire women younger than her or those who are in her age group to have a healthy lifestyle and challenge them to show the result of their hard work and discipline.

“Everybody can work out and train in the gym. It is for people of all ages who are still capable of working out. It does not matter how old you are. Look at me, I could still do it despite me being 64 years old,” said Yoo.

The Yongin City, South Korea native has had an active lifestyle even before getting hooked to weight training. She has played golf for most of her life and is also an avid scuba diver.

“I have been active my whole life, but it took me two years of training in order to achieve my goals. I only have 10 days to prepare for this competition after Star (Gordon) convinced me to join,” said Yoo.

She added that competing in a bodybuilding event offers more than just flaunting your physique. “It helps boost your confidence, gives you self-esteem, and you’ll overcome your shyness.”

Yoo said that she enjoyed her first competition and is already looking forward for the next event. “It was awkward for me at first, but the support shown by the audience helped me relax on the stage.”

“I would definitely continue working out and join this kind of events, to inspire others to do what we do. I have the chance to become an inspiration to other people, so I would continue doing this.”

Her active lifestyle has also influenced her daughter, So Young Blalock, to also start working out. “I now join her at the gym and we also jog or walk together. She has influenced me and I enjoy spending my time with her,” said Blalock.