Highlights from Days 1 & 2 By Kathryn Halsey
16th November 2025
Kon'nichiwa from Japan!
DeaflympicsGB Team has arrived safely in Japan for the 25th Summer Deaflympics.
Thank you to British Airways for looking after all teams so well, with deaf at check in and flight attendants with BSL on board. With so much luggage, two football teams, 5 bike boxes, 4 sets of golf clubs, 1 shooting rifle and all our flags and kit, thank you also to Travel Places our travel agent sorting us out so well.
Jet lag is hard coming east, but we are all settled, refreshed and ready for training and more importantly competition!
Football
Great Britain Men and Women football teams headed straight up north to J Village in Fukushima where they will stay for the duration of competition.
Sadly, some teams withdrew from the men’s game which meant a full redraw of the event.
First game for the GB Women was against Australia, calm penalty from Macie White resulted in a 1-0 win for GB. Yes!
GB Men first game against Türkiye ended 1-1 with Abdou Jobe finding the net for GB.
Tennis
Both singles and double competition started with a fantastic win for GBR Esah Hayat against Japan Fuga Miyagawa in the singles draw, winning 6-3, 6-4
Pete Wilcox too, strong win over Canda Alexandre L'Allier-Trejo, 6-1, 6-0
Charlie Denton did us proud at his first Deaflympics, but lost to Slovakian Marek Vaco 3-6, 1-6.
Double soon and all four GB tennis players scheduled for play.
Opening Ceremony
What a treat that was! Goosebumps to see all the deaf teams from every corner of the world. A rainbow of colour and pride.
GB Flag Barer Paul Waring, silver medallist from Samsun 2017 proudly led the team in the parade.
Unfortunately, both football teams were in J Village, but we knew they were cheering us on.
The rest of the team athletes are setting up, sorting training and getting familiar with the order of play.
Coming up in the next few days is cycling, shooting and more football and tennis. Let’s Go GB!
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Check for interviews and more on the website!