#Japan #Tokyo #Fitness Challenge #LAVA International #SAMURAI 2026

Welcome to 'SAMURAI 2026'

The much-anticipated fitness competition, 'SAMURAI 2026', promises to elevate the spirit of athleticism in Japan. Scheduled for the autumn of 2026, this event is set to crown Japan's ultimate powerhouse, with an impressive prize pool of 10 million yen awaiting the champion. Organised by LAVA International, which operates over 700 hot yoga studios across the country, this competition is bound to attract fitness enthusiasts from all walks of life.

Competition Overview

'VE SAMURAI 2026' will kick off its journey with a series of qualifying rounds. Starting from October 2025, there will be a total of 30 preliminary events held across major cities in Japan. These qualify participants to vie for the title of Japan’s 'fitness king' at the grand finale scheduled for October 2026. Each contestant will compete in four unique and challenging individual disciplines, designed to assess their overall physical ability beyond traditional benchmarks.

Events Included

The competition will feature four core disciplines:
1. Sit-ups: This event tests core stability and endurance through repetitive sit-up exercises.
2. Push-ups: Participants will demonstrate their muscular endurance by performing as many push-ups as possible.
3. Pull-ups: The upper body strength of contestants will be challenged in this event, counting the number of pulls.
4. Running Power: Contestants will showcase their speed and stamina in a shuttle run competition.

These events are tailored to accommodate a wide range of participants, from fitness novices to seasoned athletes, allowing everyone to push their personal limits irrespective of age or gender.

Prize Money Distribution

The stakes are high with a lucrative prize bounty for the top competitors at the final event:

• - Champion: 10,000,000 yen
• - Runner-up: 3,000,000 yen
• - 3rd place: 1,000,000 yen
• - Ranks 4 through 8: 500,000 yen, 300,000 yen, 200,000 yen, 100,000 yen, and 50,000 yen respectively.

Event Schedule and Sign-Up

Preliminary Rounds

• - The qualifiers will take place from October 2025 to September 2026, across major cities in Japan. Registration for these events is open, and participants can enter multiple rounds.
• - 1st Preliminary Round: October 4, 2025, Tokyo / Sports Arena Kachidoki (currently open for registration)
• - 2nd Preliminary Round: October 26, 2025, Tokyo / Yaesu School Share (currently open for registration)
• - Subsequent Rounds: Starting November 2025, detailed information will be available on the official site.

Grand Finale

• - The championship match is projected to occur in October 2026.
• - Qualification for Finals:

- The top 3 from each preliminary round
- The top 10 records from all participants across the preliminaries.

• - Participant Criteria: Participants must be 18 years or older, in good health, and eager to challenge their limits.

To join, please visit the official website: SAMURAI 2026 Official Site
For inquiries, you can reach us at: [email protected]

About LAVA International

Founded on the philosophy of bringing joy to as many people as possible through yoga, LAVA International operates over 700 hot yoga studios nationwide. To date, more than 2.5 million individuals have experienced our services, and we've achieved the title of 'Most Comprehensive Fitness Club in Customer Satisfaction' as per E-Cure's research (2020). Besides yoga, LAVA also offers various fitness options, such as Rintosull machine pilates, BurnesStyle kickboxing in dark settings, and the health resort, 'Tenkuno Niwa Tenmamumu'.

For more information: LAVA International Official Site.