Friday, November 14, 2025. Under a clear autumn sky, Okudaya Giken held its 91st-anniversary celebration ceremony.
However, the truly “heated moments” began at 2:40 PM, right after the ceremony. The special event venue set up in front of the new factory was filled with the excitement of our employees.

In this post, we’ll be reporting on the 91st-anniversary event—a day filled with laughter, surprises, and above all, a clash of pure “power”!

Be sure to check out the highlight video below to experience the enthusiastic atmosphere at the venue and see the brightest smiles of our employees on that day.
▶ [Video] Click here for the Okudaya Giken 91st-anniversary event highlights

Over in a flash! The overwhelming one-man show by “Ironman Hamada”

Kicking off the first half of the event was the main attraction, the arm wrestling tournament. The participants were eight fierce contenders who had previously set excellent records in a grip strength competition and proudly stepped up to the challenge.

You can look back on the previous fierce battles where the competitors fought tooth and nail in these reports!
▶ [Related Article] Frontline Legend! The Ultimate Grip Strength Showdown Among Men ―Senior Division―
▶ [Related Article] Frontline Legend! The Ultimate Grip Strength Showdown Among Men ―Middle-Aged Division―
▶ [Related Article] Frontline Legend! The Ultimate Grip Strength Showdown Among Men ―Younger Division―

And serving as the referee was Okudaya’s proud master referee, Mr. Matsukawa!

A nail-biting showdown was expected, but once the matches began, a single “monster” reigned supreme.

• The star of the show was Mr. Hamada, who swore to avenge his second-place finish in the grip strength competition! With overwhelming power and outstanding technique, he took down the proud powerhouses one after another in mere seconds. The literal instant knockouts sent a roar of astonishment through the crowd.
• The Astonishing “Ironman” Mr. Hamada’s greatness isn’t just about his strength. He even took on the role of MC himself, hyping up the matches while advancing through the tournament. It was truly a “Hamada One-Man Show”!
• Grip Strength vs. Arm Wrestling – An Unexpected Result Meanwhile, there was a major upset as Mr. Morita, the champion of the grip strength competition, suffered an unexpected defeat in the very first round. The outcome made everyone realize that grip strength and arm wrestling require completely different muscles and techniques.

Even in the exhibition matches, no one could defeat Mr. Hamada, who showed no signs of fatigue from his consecutive bouts. The tournament came to a close with a complete victory for Mr. Hamada, who displayed an overwhelming presence.

The Taste of Victory and a Night of Conversation. Topping off the second half with a toast at the BBQ!

While the excitement of the arm wrestling tournament was still lingering, the event moved into the second half: the BBQ party. On the long rows of tables, a mountain of fresh ingredients and chilled drinks were prepared, including Okudaya Giken’s customary premium selection of meats.

With the signal for the toast, the enthusiasm at the venue accelerated even further. The sight of everyone gathered around the grills, pursuing the perfect level of doneness, was the very definition of “on-site craftsmanship.”

Nearby, smiles overflowed as people savored the feast to their heart’s content, while others moved to the rhythm of the background music. Conversations with colleagues blossomed everywhere, and each person indulged in the celebration of our 91-year history in their own style. It was a luxurious night filled with a true sense of unity.

In front of the new factory, everyone laughed together regardless of their department, reflecting on the long 91-year history. And so, the pleasant night wore on.

Toward Our 92nd Anniversary and the Future of Our 100th

In 2026, when this article is published, Okudaya Giken celebrates its 92nd anniversary.

Witnessing the powerful energy of our employees and the teamwork that allows us to laugh together as we did at the 91st-anniversary event, I am certain that we can go anywhere.

First towards our 95th anniversary, and then to our 100th and beyond. With the joy we shared on this night in our hearts, Okudaya Giken will continue to take strong steps forward into the future of manufacturing.

[Editor’s Note] Mr. Hamada’s incredible strength… it looks like a long line of employees are already fired up for a rematch next time. What kind of drama awaits us in the next showdown?

Written by
Okudaya Giken Co., Ltd.
OKUDAYA CONNECT Editorial Team