The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics Opens in November
Shimadzu Tennis Team Member Rina Komokata to Compete in Three Events
Rina Komokata of the SHIMADZU Breakers tennis team will compete as a member of the Japanese national team in three tennis events at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, which opens this November. We asked Komokata about how she discovered deaf tennis and her aspirations for the tournament.
The Deaflympics Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary and Is being Held in Japan for the First Time
The Deaflympics is an international sports competition held every four years for deaf athletes. First held in Paris, France, in 1924, this year’s 100th anniversary celebration marks the first time the event has been held in Japan.
The Deaflympics is a competition for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Competitors must meet the following conditions to qualify and participate in the event.
| 1: |
The smallest sound they can hear without hearing aids or similar devices is more than 55 dB*. |
|
| 2: |
They are registered with their country’s Deaf Sports Association and meet the requirements for participation, including records and ranking. |
|
| * This level of hearing loss typically prevents understanding normal conversation. |
About 6,000 athletes from 70 to 80 countries and regions will compete in 21 sports, including track and field, badminton, and basketball. While competing, athletes remove hearing aids to ensure fair play. International Sign is used throughout the Games and it is also characterized using visual communication, with cues such as lamps and flags used for start signals and referee indications.
Encounter with Deaf Tennis
Komokata joined Shimadzu Corporation in April this year and became a member of the SHIMADZU Breakers tennis team. Originally from Mie Prefecture, she is one of our rookie players this season. As an employee assigned to the Corporate Communication Department, she is involved in publishing the in-house magazine and managing the team’s website, while practicing diligently every day. Regarding her work, she says, “I enjoy public relations work. It’s challenging, but that means there’s a wide range of opportunities I can take on. Going forward, I want to initiate actions myself and expand the scope of the things I can do.”
At a tennis clinic hosted by SHIMADZU Breakers in September for local children and Shimadzu Group employees and their families
Komokata gave a lecture at an elementary school in Mie Prefecture about her career and the Deaflympics. Afterward, children lined up to ask for her autograph
Komokata began playing tennis at age six, after accompanying her mother to practice. While competing in a tournament during her second year of junior high school, she was scouted by a coach from the Japanese Deaf Tennis Team, who happened to be holding a training camp at the same venue. This encounter introduced her to deaf tennis. Reflecting on that time, Komokata says, “I hadn’t known deaf tennis existed before. Since I had never played without my hearing aid before, at first it felt strange, but at the same time, the lack of surrounding sounds created a different kind of concentration, compared to usual.”
She says that she gradually became accustomed to deaf tennis communication through repeated attendance at training camps. “In doubles, each pair decides on their own set of signs. For pairs who don't use sign language much in daily life, they use gestures or finger spelling.” Regarding the mental aspect, she notes, “This isn’t unique to deaf tennis, but I consciously try to ease tension through facial expressions. If I have a stiff expression all the time, I will be mentally tired. Through many discussions with my doubles partner, ‘enjoying doubles play’ became our motto. Even during deaf tennis matches, I can see the sign language applause (raising both hands and fluttering the wrists) and reactions from the spectators, which motivates me just like in regular tennis.”
Achieved two titles at the 2025 Australian Open Deaf Tennis
Komokata won the singles title and finished runner-up in doubles at the 2024 Australian Open Deaf Tennis Championships while still in university, achieving a double crown at the same tournament this past January. Since winning the Polish Deaf Tennis Open 2025 (April)—her first international tournament after joining Shimadzu—she has gone on to claim multiple trophies at domestic and international tournaments.
On match days, Komokata always eats rice and miso soup for breakfast and even takes these foods with her during overseas tours.
“It makes me feel at ease and helps replenish salt.” (Komokata)
Aiming for a Medal with Gratitude in her Heart
This will be Komokata’s first appearance at the Deaflympics. She shared the following thoughts ahead of the competition.
I am honored to compete as a member of the Japanese team at the first Deaflympics to be held in Japan. This is my first Deaflympics too, so I want to remember to enjoy myself and play in a way that shows my gratitude to everyone who has supported me so far. I’ll do my best to win medals in all three events (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles)! Your support is really appreciated.
Komokata’s first match is the singles on Sunday, November 16. For a detailed schedule of the competition, which will be held at Ariake Tennis Forest (Tokyo), visit our special website (Japanese only). After the opening, we plan to update Komokata’s match information as it becomes available. The Deaflympics are free to watch. For more information, please visit the official tournament website. We look forward to your warm support.
Page Title and URL Copied.