[Para Powerlifting] 9th Challenge Cup Kyoto Tournament: Event and Media Coverage Announcement

The Japan Para Powerlifting Federation (JPPF) will host the "9th Challenge Cup Kyoto Tournament" for two days, on Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st, 2026, in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture (Venue: Sun Abilities Joyo). Media coverage is available for this tournament. Media representatives wishing to cover the event must pre-register by applying via the registration button at the end of this document.

Highlights of this Tournament

- The "last opportunity" to improve rankings before the July deadline for Asia Para Games qualification (top 9 for men / top 7 for women). - A tournament where challenges from ages 10s to 70s intersect, including 5 first-time participants (1 female, 4 male). - For the first time in a Challenge Cup, international athletes (from South Korea and India) will compete, aiming to improve their Asia Para ranking.

Featured Athletes (Top Asia Para Rankings / Excerpts)

Men

- 49kg class, 9th place: CHEON Minki (South Korea) - 59kg class, 10th place: Tomohiro Mitsuse (Executive Protection) - 72kg class, 7th place: Kentaro Higuchi (Columbia Sportswear Japan) - 80kg class, 4th place: KIM Gyuho (South Korea) *Competing in the 72kg class in this tournament - 80kg class, 9th place: Yuki Hino (SIMPLEX HOLDINGS) - 97kg class, 11th place: Shogo Tanaka (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Takasago Plant) *Competing in the 88kg class in this tournament (88kg class, 13th place)

Women

- 41kg class, 12th place: Miwa Naruke (APRESIA Systems) *Competing in the 45kg class in this tournament - 45kg class, 5th place: Jaspreet Kaur (India) - 73kg class, 12th place: Tomoka Sakamoto (Ponta / Loyalty Marketing) - 79kg class, 6th place: Chika Tanaka (Kyosei Denki)

Tournament Outline

Date: Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st, 2026 Venue: Sun Abilities Joyo (Nakaashihara, Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture (no street number)) Organizer/Supervisor: Japan Para Powerlifting Federation, a specified non-profit organization Co-organizer: Kyoto Prefecture Sanctioned by: World Para Powerlifting Supported by: Joyo City (planned), Japan Para Sports Association, Japanese Paralympic Committee, Kyoto Prefectural Social Welfare Corporation, NPO Kyoto Sports and Disabled Sports Promotion Association,

Federation Sponsors

(Partners) DAIICHI JITSUGYO CO., LTD., PR TIMES, BENEX Corporation (Supporters) DENBA JAPAN Co., Ltd., Power Boost

Tournament Sponsors

(Silver Partner) MATSUSHIMA HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. (Supporters) WATAKYU Holdings Co., Ltd., Suntory Products Ltd., Yonesen Co., Ltd.

Tournament Website

▽ Live streaming is planned on the Para Powerlifting Federation's YouTube channel ▽

Live Streaming

Media Coverage Information

Media coverage requires pre-registration. Application period: Until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, May 27th.

Media guidelines will be sent by email on May 28th to those who have applied.

Apply for media coverage