At Japan’s all-women powerlifting contest, strength is beautiful
Despite a thin-is-beautiful aesthetic dominating popular beauty trends in Japan, the Strongirls Japan powerlifting group takes a more muscular approach to femininity.
On July 12, doors swung open at a gym in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, at 8:30 a.m. A gathering of 40 powerlifters approached for the day's competition involving squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. This event, while seemingly ordinary, held a unique twist: every participant was a woman. Founded in 2020 by gym manager Kanan Kasai, 30, Strongirls Japan aims to empower women to rediscover their strength and appreciate the remarkable capabilities of their own bodies.
Drawing inspiration from a comparable movement in South Korea, the Japan chapter reaches its pinnacle at the annual Strongirls Strength Festival, which celebrated its sixth edition last month. During this event, athletes showcased their power across three primary lifts.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
