Congratulations! “Kinniku” (Meaning “Muscle”) Heads to Aomori: Mechanic Okamura’s 4th Straight National Sports Festival
The arms that usually service our trucks are off to lift barbells again this year!
Mechanic Shinya Okamura of our Maintenance Division will represent Kagawa Prefecture in the 120 kg class of powerlifting (a demonstration event) at the 80th National Sports Festival (Kokuspo), “Ao no Kirameki Aomori Kokuspo” (Sparkle of Blue Aomori Kokuspo). Remarkably, this will be his fourth straight year and fourth appearance. By now it is practically Setouchi Rikuun’s “annual autumn event.” As a sponsor, our company is pushing him forward with all our might (though however hard we push, he doesn’t budge an inch).
The other day, he came to see the Representative Director in his competition uniform to report on his upcoming appearance. The moment he walked in, the muscle density of the room shot up. Even the “Setouchi Rikuun” lettering on his chest seemed stretched tight and proud.
Please zoom in and take a good look at these thighs.
By the way, at last year’s (2025) Shiga Kokuspo, he lifted 250 kg in the squat, 187.5 kg in the bench press, and 242.5 kg in the deadlift, for a total of 690kg! Of course, that doesn’t come close to the load of one of our large trucks (naturally), but for a human being it is a pretty amazing number.
Okamura’s Goals
“This will be my fourth straight year and fourth appearance at the National Sports Festival. So far I haven’t been able to break through the wall of 6th place, so this year I want to finally make it onto the podium and live up to the expectations of everyone who supports me. I will give it everything I have, so please cheer me on.”
At the 2024 SAGA Kokuspo, he placed 6th (read the article from that time here). This year, we hope he lifts the “6th-place wall” right along with the barbell and makes it to the podium!
The competition will be held from 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 27 at Sports Plaza Fujisaki in Fujisaki Town, Aomori Prefecture. All of our employees will be sending him good vibes from Kagawa. Go for it, Okamura! ♬
