From World Athletics Championships to the DEAFLYMPICS! “Special Class for Athletes” | Report on one month to go commemorative event ahead of the DEAFLYMPICS

2025.10.20

Connecting the enthusiasm of World Athletics to the DEAFLYMPICS.
On October 15 (Wed), one month before the Games, we welcomed the Japan representatives of both Games and held the “TOKYO FORWARD 2025 Special Class for Athletes”!

For the first time in Japanese history, we welcomed Masateru Yugami (Athletics/Deaf Athletics | Discus Throw), who will participate in both the World Athletics and DEAFLYMPICS, Mio Okada (Deaf Athletics, Middle Distance), who will make her third consecutive appearance at the TOKYO 2025 DEAFLYMIPCS, and Ken Toyoda, (Athletics | 400mH) who competed in the World Athletics Championships this summer.

Men’s discus throw Japanese national record and World Deaflympics record holder
Masateru Yugami

Deaf Japan record holder in the Women’s 800m, 1500m, and 1-mile.
Mio Okada

The next hope in the hurdles world who also competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics,
Ken Toyoda

The special class was preceded by a presentation ceremony for the official uniforms of the Japan national team from ASICS Co., Ltd.
On behalf of the Japan team, Mio Okada was presented with uniforms, and official wear, including staff and volunteer wear, unveiled for the first time, made a first appearance all at once.

From Yasuhito Hirota, Chairman and CEO of ASICS to Mio Okada

The official uniform of the Japan team (center) and
the official wear unveiled

About 140 fourth-grade elementary school students from Yashio Gakuen participated in this special class.
Everyone was buzzing with the coolness of the athletes who appeared, but what surprised them even more was the demonstration by Ken Toyoda! They experienced the top athletes hurdles up close.

Welcomed with a wild sign language applause

Mio Okada gave a lecture on tips for running fast!
To run fast, first build up your body so that you don’t get injured. Introducing the workout methods that Mio Okada uses daily.

Once their body was warmed up and everyone’s tension was rising, it was time to teach running tips!
Everyone was working hard with shining eyes. Seeing the athletes as a good example, they challenged themselves to the fullest.

After moving their body, they also tried the “Cheer Signs”, cheering with their own eyes!
Yasuto Okumura in the cheering squad taught them “Cheer Signs”.

Deaf duo comedian “Deaf W”, Yasuto Okumura

As expected, he really livened up the atmosphere with his unique character

Everyone said “Go for it” together with Mio Okada and Masateru Yugami

They delivered “Cheer Signs” to the athletes with their thoughts who will compete in the DEAFLYMPICS.

The event venue, “Oi Futo Central Seaside Park” is the venue for hammer throw. Thus, the original countdown monuments touring the competition venues also appeared!
Along with the 700 origami cranes folded by children in Oshima Town, the venue for the Deaf orienteering event, it was filled with origami cranes folded by the athletes and others.

In the talk and question corner at the end of the event, there were many serious questions from everyone. They told us many things including what they value as an athlete and about the world of Deaf.

To the unfamiliar body size of Masateru Yugami, everyone was buzzing “He is like Superman…”

Time went by quickly, but we heard comments from everyone who interacted with the athletes a lot such as,
“I want to support by using a lot of Cheer Signs”, “I want to learn sign language because I want to talk more with people who can’t hear.”

Mio Okada received a lot of cheering. “With everyone’s thoughts in my heart, I will do my best to aim for a medal!” and will proceed to the DEAFLYMPICS with a new determination!!

One month left until the Games…
Let’s liven up the Games even more so that we can deliver the best stage to the Deaf athletes who are putting their whole heart and soul into it!!