Last year (2024), the entire nation focused on the Olympics and Paralympics held in Paris, France, but from November 15, 2025 (Saturday), the Deaflympics, the Olympics for athletes with hearing disabilities, will be held.
This historic event, marking its 100th anniversary, will be held in Japan for the first time.
Four athletes and a coach from Okayama Prefecture, including Kurashiki City, will participate.
I participated in the Deaflympics caravan event held in Asakuchi City on August 30, 2025 (Saturday), and later interviewed the athletes.
What is the Tokyo Deaflympics 2025?
The Deaflympics is an international sports competition for athletes with hearing disabilities (hereinafter referred to as "Deaf athletes") organized by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) and held every four years.
The name is a portmanteau of Deaf + Olympics, where "Deaf" refers to "the inability to hear" in English.
The official name of this event is "The 25th Summer Deaflympics Tokyo 2025" (hereinafter referred to as "Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics").
From November 15 (Saturday) to 26 (Wednesday), 2025, approximately 6,000 officials from 70 to 80 countries and regions will gather for 21 sports over 12 days.
The vision of the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics includes the following three points.
- Convey the charm and value of Deaf sports and connect with people and society
- To create an event that connects to the world and the future
- Realizing a society of coexistence where "everyone can utilize their individuality and demonstrate their abilities"
From Okayama Prefecture, three Deaf athletes and one coach will participate.
- Ishimoto Ryuichiro
Athletics (400m hurdles) - Sato Shusuke
Athletics (high jump) - Komori Aya
Women's soccer - Yasuda Yukiko
Women's bowling (coach)
The Deaflympics caravan will appear in Okayama Prefecture in August 2025
While the Olympics and Paralympics have a torch relay before the event, the Deaflympics does not.
Therefore, for this event, a caravan truck will start from the venue of the National Deaf Association in Iwate on June 15, 2025 (Sunday), heading towards the host city of Tokyo, with a promotional wrap for the Deaflympics, traveling across Japan from north to south.
The caravan truck traveled through Okayama Prefecture for six days from August 25 (Monday) to August 31 (Sunday), 2025. It took over the caravan truck from Tottori Prefecture in Nagi Town, Katsuta District, Okayama Prefecture, and handed it over to Kagawa Prefecture on the last day.
Please check the following image for the detailed schedule.
Along with the caravan truck's tour, Deaflympics-related events are being held nationwide, and Okayama Prefecture held the "Deaflympics Caravan" at the Asakuchi City Health and Welfare Center on August 30, 2025 (Saturday).
An event that brings together both hearing and non-hearing individuals
In the morning session, all participants gathered in the 3rd-floor hall for a quiz about the history of the Deaflympics and a sign language talk by former Deaf athletes.
During the ceremony, the mayor of Asakuchi City and the vice mayor of Satoshio greeted the audience while incorporating sign language, creating a warm atmosphere in the venue.
The quiz about the Deaflympics was "multiple choice."
Deaf individuals (those who use sign language as their first language) conducted the quiz in sign language, but there were also audio interpretation and summary writing services, and the questions and choices were displayed on slides, making it enjoyable for both hearing and non-hearing individuals.
Participants struggled with various questions, not only about what anniversary the Deaflympics is celebrating and when it will be held, but also about the origin of the Deaflympics logo and sign language expressions. Since everyone dropped out midway, we learned together about the history of the Deaflympics in the latter half.
Sign language talk by former Deaf athletes
The sign language talk by former Deaf athletes featured the following two former bowling players.
- Yasuda Yukiko
- Hosokawa Kenji
Yasuda will participate as the women's bowling coach, while Hosokawa will participate as a staff member for bowling competitions at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics.
There were questions about bowling competitions from the Deaflympics caravan staff in sign language, as well as questions unique to athletes with international competition experience, such as the following.
How did you communicate with overseas athletes?
Yasuda (no honorifics)
We communicated using gestures. Especially, Asian sign languages are similar, so it's easier to convey messages.
Hosokawa (no honorifics)
I also used a lot of gestures. Since we are both non-hearing, we somehow understand each other. Additionally, there is a common language called international sign language, which I will lecture on in the afternoon.
If there are any difficulties unique to international competitions, please let us know.
Yasuda
In bowling, the "approach" area before throwing varies in slipperiness depending on the location, so careful checking is necessary. I bring several pairs of shoes and balls to the competition.
Hosokawa
I pay attention to meals. Sometimes the food doesn't suit me when I'm abroad.
Please share your enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics.
Yasuda
In women's bowling, China, Taiwan, and Ukraine are strong competitors. Especially in team events, we will all work together to win the gold medal.
Hosokawa
My role is to reduce the burden on the athletes so they can focus on their competitions. I want to dedicate myself to support, utilizing my experience as an athlete.
Experience international sign language & Japanese sign language
In the afternoon, a sign language workshop was held.
Many people rushed to the venue in the afternoon, eager to learn live sign language from Deaf individuals who use it regularly!
As someone with a hearing impairment who uses sign language in daily life, my goal is to attend the international sign language course. Until now, I have only used American Sign Language when communicating with deaf individuals from overseas, so this is my first time learning international sign language, which is universal worldwide.
During the Deaflympics, deaf athletes and their supporters from around the world will come to Japan. If I find fellow deaf individuals using sign language at the venue or nearby, I would like to try talking to them in international sign language.
Deaf Life Support Experience
At the venue, there was also an experience corner for goods used by hearing-impaired individuals to supplement everyday sounds.
Children gathered around items like writing tools and vibrating alarm clocks, showing great interest in trying them out.
Exhibits of Medal Replicas and Panels Traveling Nationwide
At the venue, panels explaining the history of the Deaflympics traveling nationwide in a caravan and replicas of medals were also displayed.
Among the exhibits, I discovered illustrations by renowned Japanese manga artists such as Rumiko Takahashi and Gosho Aoyama.
This is a project called "MANGA cheer on Deaf Sports", supported by manga artists who want to inspire all deaf athletes both domestically and internationally and raise awareness among those who have never encountered "being deaf" or deaf sports.
Many children with hearing impairments find it difficult to acquire Japanese through spoken language, so they often learn everyday spoken language through manga. Many people were captivated by the works of manga artists, who are familiar figures for those who are deaf.
Interviews with Deaflympics Track and Field Representatives
With less than a month to go until the competition, I spoke with Ryuuichirou Ishimoto and Shuusuke Satou, representatives for the Deaf Track and Field 400m hurdles, at the end of October 2025 about their enthusiasm for the Deaflympics.
“I Can't Wait for the Deaflympics!” - Ryuuichirou Ishimoto
Originally from Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. I spoke with Ryuuichirou Ishimoto, a third-year student in the Faculty of Education at Okayama University, who is a member of the track and field club.
Can you tell us how you got into Deaf Track and Field?
Ishimoto (honorifics omitted)
I have attended school with hearing students until now, but I have one year of experience at a local school for the deaf's kindergarten. I have maintained friendships with classmates from the deaf school even after leaving, and they informed me about Deaf Track and Field.
When I looked up the records of the Japanese representatives in Deaf Track and Field, I found that my personal best in the 400m hurdles was faster than the current Japanese record in Deaf Track and Field, so I thought, I want to compete on the world stage! and started participating in Deaf Track and Field.
Have you been involved in track and field for a long time?
Ishimoto
Since I was young, I have excelled in the sprint races at sports festivals and have been selected for relay teams. Influenced by my father, who was a track and field athlete, I chose the track and field club without hesitation when I entered junior high school, and I have continued ever since. My father was also a 400m hurdles athlete.
Can you share your enthusiasm for the Deaflympics?
Ishimoto
After repeated practices and training camps, I feel that I am in my best condition right now. I don't feel much nervousness or pressure about participating in my first international competition; I am simply full of excitement.
My running is particularly notable for my strong start. I will utilize that strength beyond 200m and give my best performance.
Please support me!
“I Want to Bring a Gold Medal Back to Okayama!” - Shuusuke Satou
I spoke with Shuusuke Satou, who graduated from Okayama Prefectural Okayama School for the Deaf and is a member of the track and field club at Hirabayashi Metal Co., Ltd.
Can you tell us how you got into Deaf Track and Field?
Satou
I was enrolled in a school for the deaf, but at that time, I was not aware of the existence of the Deaflympics or Deaf Track and Field. However, I continued to participate in high jump competitions since junior high, competing in the same events as hearing individuals.
When I posted about this on social media, a deaf person I was connected with on social media informed me about Deaf Track and Field, which led me to participate in a training camp and start my journey in Deaf Track and Field.
How has your life changed since you got involved in Deaf Track and Field?
Satou
I have become more serious about my training and competition than ever before.
Last year (2024), I participated in the international competition held in Taiwan for the first time (the 5th World Deaf Athletics Championships) and was overwhelmed by the physique and jumping ability of the foreign athletes.
Since I did not achieve the results I hoped for, I am now not only strengthening my training but also paying attention to my diet and reassessing my physical conditioning in preparation for the upcoming Deaflympics.
Can you share your enthusiasm for the Deaflympics?
Satou
Using the frustration from my previous international competition as motivation, I have been diligently training.
At the Deaflympics, I will bring home a gold medal to Okayama.
Competition Schedule for Athletes and Coaches from Okayama Prefecture
The competition schedule and venues for athletes and coaches from Okayama Prefecture are as follows:
- Ryuuichirou Ishimoto
November 21 (Friday) and 22 (Saturday)
Kozu Olympic Memorial Park Athletic Field - Shuusuke Satou
November 18 (Tuesday)
Kozu Olympic Memorial Park Athletic Field - Ayaka Komori
November 15 (Saturday), 17 (Monday), 19 (Wednesday), 21 (Friday), 23 (Sunday), 25 (Tuesday)
J-Village (Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture) - Yukiko Yasuda (Coach)
November 24 (Monday) and 25 (Tuesday) *Team events
Todaimoto Ground Bowl
Let's Support the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics
The opening of the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics will be on November 15 (Saturday). Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies are sold out, but the opening ceremony, directed by Hiroe Ohashi, a descendant of Takeyuki Ohashi who lived in Ohashi House in the Bikan Historical Area, will be broadcast on NHK E-Tele at 8 PM on the same day.
All competitions are free to attend.
While there are no plans for television broadcasts within Okayama Prefecture, many events from previous Deaflympics have been live-streamed on platforms like YouTube, so be sure to check them out.
Ishimoto-san and Sato-san both said, "We want to convey our courage as deaf athletes challenging our limits through our competitive appearances to those who can hear," which left a strong impression.
I can't take my eyes off the 12 days of the Deaflympics, the first ever held in Japan.
Data for the 25th Summer Deaflympics Tokyo 2025
| Name | 25th Summer Deaflympics Tokyo 2025 |
|---|---|
| Dates | November 15 (Mon) - 26 (Wed), 2025 |
| Location | Tokyo, Shizuoka, Fukushima |
