#Japan #National Championship #Okayama #Okayama University #Powerlifting

Triumph of Strength: Okayama University's Weightlifting Team

On December 6 and 7, 2025, at the Aichi Gakuin University Sports Center, the weightlifting team of Okayama University made history by clinching its 15th national championship title at the 52nd All-Japan Student Powerlifting Championships. This remarkable achievement comes after a hard-fought battle where the team, facing disappointment in the previous year, placed third.

The competition was fierce, featuring 164 athletes from 51 universities across Japan, all having progressed through regional qualifiers to reach this prestigious event. The Okayama University team excelled in four weight classes, securing individual gold medals and garnering accolades for their outstanding performances.

In an impressive milestone, Hiroki Sugino, a junior from the Faculty of Education, was awarded the Best Male Athlete, while Ayumi Okay, a junior from the Faculty of Letters, was named the Best Female Athlete. This marks the first time in the club's history that both male and female athletes have been honored simultaneously with this distinction.

Following the tournament, Sugino expressed his joy, stating, "I began powerlifting in college, and achieving victory at this intercollegiate event has been my goal. I couldn’t have done it without the support of everyone around me. I will strive to win again next year!" Okay echoed this sentiment, reflecting on the challenges she faced, admitting, "I was surprised to win, especially after suffering an injury before the event that left me mentally uncertain. I am incredibly grateful to my family, coaches, and teammates for their support during those tough times. I will continue to work hard!"

The results of the championship were as follows:

• - Champion: Okayama University (57 points)
• - Runner-up: Nippon Sports Science University (49 points)
• - Third Place: Kyoto Advanced Science University (43 points)

Individual highlights included:

• - Women’s 52kg Class: Ayumi Okay (1st), Yuki Fujii (3rd, Faculty of Law, 3rd Year)
• - Women’s 63kg Class: Nana Iura (1st), Leletan Shun (2nd)
• - Women’s Over 63kg Class: Saki Ohnishi (1st)
• - Men’s 83kg Class: Hiroki Sugino (1st)

The teamwork, dedication, and achievements of the Okayama University weightlifting team reflect not just individual excellence but also a spirit of collaboration and resilience. With their recent triumph, the team has set their sights on continued success and further accomplishments in the future.

As we celebrate this victory, we look forward to witnessing more remarkable achievements from the Okayama University Weightlifting Club! Their journey exemplifies the strength of unity and the power of determination.

For more information about the Okayama University Weightlifting Club, you can visit their website.

This information was released by Okayama University on December 22, 2025.