Category: Para Sports

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 13, 2025 1
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Tokyo Gears Up for Japan’s First Deaflympics with Push for Accessibility

Japan is preparing to host its first-ever Deaflympics from Nov. 15 to 26, with events held in Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Fukushima, and Narita airport stepping up accessibility measures for the thousands of athletes and visitors expected from around 80 countries. The airport has introduced pictogram signage, written communication tools, and staff training sessions led by people with hearing impairments to improve interactions with deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers. Meanwhile, the Tokyo metropolitan government is offering sign language lessons to its employees to ensure smooth event operations and promote greater understanding of the deaf community ahead of the 12-day international sporting event.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 10, 2025 1
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Tokyo Govt Conducts Sign Language Lessons ahead of Deaflympics

The Tokyo metropolitan government is making final preparations to host the Deaflympics, known as the Olympics for people with hearing difficulties, from Saturday, such as conducting sign language lessons for its staff. It aims to facilitate the management of the Deaflympics, in which some 3,000 athletes from over 70 countries and regions are slated to compete, by promoting understanding about people with hearing impairments through the lessons. The upcoming Deaflympics will be the first to be held in Japan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 7, 2025 Number of comments0
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Tokyo Deaflympics: Japan-made light signals used alongside pistols to start races

At the Deaflympics to kick off in Tokyo next week, “start lamps” will be used along with pistols on the racetrack as one of the innovative ways competitions are being adapted for hearing-impaired athletes.Masahisa Takemi, 50, a teacher at Tokyo Metropolitan Chuo School for the Deaf, created the signals to be used at the Nov. 15-26 games. “I want to create an environment where people do not have to give up despite their disabilities,” he said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 24, 2025 Number of comments0
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“Photo-Stimulation Start” Used for the First Time at Track and Field Meet for People with Disabilities in Fukuoka

Held at Fukuoka City’s Hakatanomori Athletic Stadium on September 23rd, approximately 300 athletes aged 12 to 79, including those with physical and intellectual disabilities, competed. Athletes were divided into 15 events based on their disability, including the 50-meter sprint, 1500-meter sprint, long jump, and shot put, and attempted to break their personal records. For the first time, a “photo-stimulation start” system was introduced in a competition for hearing-impaired athletes, using light to signal the start.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 22, 2025 Number of comments0
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Japan names 5-time Paralympic gold medalist Junichi Kawai to head sports agency [Podcast Episode]

Retired visually impaired swimmer Junichi Kawai was named the next commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency on Friday and will become the first Paralympian to assume the post when his appointment takes effect Oct. 1. Kawai expressed his determination to fulfill his role, saying at a press conference in Tokyo, “My goal is to build a society where citizens recognize the value and appeal of sports.” As it is rare for a government body to be led by someone who is totally visually impaired, he added, “The fact that someone like me has been appointed to this position shows that times have changed, and I hope this means a lot to many people.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 19, 2025 Number of comments0
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Japan names 5-time Paralympic gold medalist Kawai to head sports agency

Retired visually impaired swimmer Junichi Kawai was named the next commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency on Friday and will become the first Paralympian to assume the post when his appointment takes effect Oct. 1. Kawai expressed his determination to fulfill his role, saying at a press conference in Tokyo, “My goal is to build a society where citizens recognize the value and appeal of sports.” As it is rare for a government body to be led by someone who is totally visually impaired, he added, “The fact that someone like me has been appointed to this position shows that times have changed, and I hope this means a lot to many people.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 6, 2025 Number of comments0
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Japan Para Swimmer Mayumi Narita Dies Aged 55

Mayumi Narita, one of Japan’s most accomplished para swimmers and a six-time Paralympian, died Friday at the age of 55 after battling intrahepatic bile duct cancer, the Japanese Para Swimming Federation said. Born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Narita became a wheelchair user in her teens due to transverse myelitis and later a traffic accident, but went on to dominate the Paralympic stage, winning 15 gold medals and 20 overall between 1996 and 2004. She was named Best Female Athlete by the International Paralympic Committee in 2005, retired after the 2008 Beijing Games, and later contributed to Tokyo’s successful bid for the 2020 Games before making a remarkable comeback to compete in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 at age 51. Known for her resilience and innovation, she continued training despite pandemic restrictions and had planned to remain active in the sport at her home club, the Yokohama Sakura Swimming School.