"Muscle × Caregiver" VISIONARY Inc. Announces First Wave of Sponsoring Companies and Team Participants for the 2026 Summer 'Muscle Hiring' Contests [APF×VISIONARY], Where 70% of Participating Companies Made Hires Last Year

VISIONARY Inc. (CEO: Yusuke Niwa, headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture), which operates disability welfare services, will collaborate with fitness organization APF to host the 'APF VISIONARY TRYOUT CUP 2026' (August 15, 2026, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo) and the 'APF VISIONARY CUP 2026' (August 29, 2026, Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture).

Related Article Links

・Event Announcement: [Turning Fitness Competitions into Tools for 'Hiring' and 'Organization Building' – Two Events, APF VISIONARY TRYOUT CUP 2026 and APF VISIONARY CUP 2026, to be Held in August | VISIONARY Inc.]

・Call for Participants: [[APF×VISIONARY] Contest Collaboration – Recruitment for Athletes and Teams for the Two Summer 2026 Events Now Open]

This press release announces the first wave of companies and organizations confirmed to participate as offering employers in the 'Draft Tryout Class' of the 'APF VISIONARY TRYOUT CUP 2026' and as team participants in the corporate team competition of the 'APF VISIONARY CUP 2026'.

First Announcement: 'Draft Tryout Class' Sponsoring Companies Creating Hiring and Sponsorship Opportunities

The 'APF VISIONARY TRYOUT CUP 2026' will feature a special category, the 'Draft Tryout Class,' where companies can scout, sponsor, or extend job offers to competing athletes. The previous event in 2025 attracted over 400 athletes and over 1,000 attendees. Of the 10 participating companies, 7 successfully hired athletes, while others conducted sponsorship deals and interviews, transforming the fitness contest into a talent-matching platform beyond mere competition.

[Entry for Draft Tryout Class Athletes: https://apf.fitness/information/22793/]

Sponsoring companies participating in the Draft Tryout Class will be announced sequentially as confirmed. This release introduces the first group of confirmed companies.

APF VISIONARY TRYOUT CUP 2026

◾️ Company Statements

First Announcement: Draft Tryout Class Sponsoring Companies

【Sugiimashinari Co., Ltd.】CEO Mr. Sugimoto

"We want to prove in the manufacturing industry that 'muscle solves everything.'

Manufacturing and muscle training share commonalities: setting goals, following correct processes, and shaping results. 'Muscle × Manufacturing' is a field that deserves far more attention. As a first step, we are seeking muscular talent to co-create from scratch our planned in-house gym project."

【ACT-R Co., Ltd.】CEO Mr. Kohno

"I am Kohno Yasusuke of ACT-R Co., Ltd. I fully resonate with the concept of 'muscle hiring' and am honored to participate. Before founding my company, I worked in real estate sales for five years, ran my business for three years, and since April last year, I have seriously trained, earning 3rd place in Best Body Japan 2025.

The attitude of challenging oneself and self-management skills are powerful assets, whether in sales or in the world of muscle.

I sincerely look forward to meeting talented individuals who have consistently worked hard through this wonderful opportunity!"

Corporate and School Team Competition 'Corporate Challenge Cup' – First Wave of Participating Teams Announced

The 'APF VISIONARY CUP 2026' will feature a team-based category, the 'Corporate Challenge Cup,' where companies and schools compete in teams of three. Established in 2023, this unique initiative introduced team competition into a traditionally individual-focused fitness contest.

In the previous event, 12 teams (9 companies and 3 schools) from across Japan participated, creating a vibrant platform for corporate and school interaction through competition.

2025 Corporate Challenge Cup Highlights

For the 2026 event, competition rules will be partially revised: previously judged in the same category, corporate and school teams will now be evaluated in separate divisions. This change aims to create fairer competition environments for each category, raising the stakes and intensifying the battle for corporate and school pride. (Corporate Challenge Cup Entry Details: https://apf.fitness/information/22917/)

(YouTube video: "3-Person Corporate Challenge Cup – Additional Recruitment 🔥 | APF VISIONARY CUP 2026 - YouTube)

Participating organizations in the Corporate Challenge Cup will be announced sequentially. This release introduces the first confirmed participants.

First Wave of Participating Organizations (in no particular order)

・VISIONARY Inc.

・General Corporation Ltd.

・Seishin High School

・Rishisha

Corporate Challenge Cup / Team Competition Participant Statements

【General Corporation Ltd.】CEO Mr. Ikeda

"We are seriously expanding the possibilities of 'muscle × entertainment,' creating a culture where training is not just a 'hobby' but a 'career.' To prove we are a company that contributes not only to entertainment but also to Japan's vitality and health, we will fully challenge this Corporate Challenge Cup with our teammates."

【Seishin High School】Advisor Mr. Miwa

"Thank you for allowing us to participate for the third consecutive year. We've been overwhelmed by other teams every year, but this year, we want to surprise everyone in the venue by showing that high school students can achieve such impressive physiques. Moreover, beyond muscles and style, we aim to fully embrace the joy of being on this stage—our daily efforts, etiquette, and stage presence—and challenge with all our might. Through this experience, we hope to grow both mentally and physically."

Event Overview

[APF VISIONARY TRYOUT CUP 2026]

Date: August 15, 2026 (Saturday) Venue: Kuriyan, Shinagawa City General Community Hall (Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo) Content: Special Category [Draft Tryout Class] – Physique Model, Bikini Model Recruitment: Athletes aiming to build careers through fitness competitions

[APF VISIONARY CUP 2026]

Date: August 29, 2026 (Saturday) Venue: Nagoya Bunri University Culture Forum (Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture) Content: Special Category [Corporate Challenge Cup] – Physique Model

Recruitment: Companies, schools, and various organizations

Recruitment Information

Applications are now open for athletes wishing to participate in the 'Draft Tryout Class' of the 'APF VISIONARY TRYOUT CUP 2026' and for companies, schools, and organizations wishing to join the 'Corporate Challenge Cup' of the 'APF VISIONARY CUP 2026'.

For details and application procedures, please visit the official APF website.

Regarding sponsoring companies and participating organizations in the Corporate Challenge Cup,