The Malaysian contingent are poised for a strong outing as the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics opens tomorrow, with the national athletes ready to mount a serious challenge in badminton, bowling, and athletics. Backed by months of preparation and encouraging results from recent regional competitions, Team Malaysia heads into Tokyo eager to carve another chapter in its sporting journey.
The Malaysian contingent, comprising 25 athletes, 25 officials, and 25 coaches, begins its campaign with a target of three gold medals: two in badminton and one in team bowling. Malaysian athletes will compete in badminton, bowling, athletics, and karate.
Chef de Mission Mohd Yusri Abdul Ghani expressed confidence in the squadâs prospects, pointing to strong recent performances and improved preparations despite logistical challenges. âThis target reflects the current form of our athletes and their achievements on the international stage.
Our badminton mixed pair, Boon Wei Ying and Edmund Teoh, who won gold at the 2024 Brazil International, remain one of our strongest medal hopes. Our womenâs doubles pair has also shown excellent progress. In bowling, the team event has the depth and consistency to challenge for the top podium.â
Malaysiaâs athletics squad, buoyed by standout performances at recent international meets, are also expected to deliver surprises in Tokyo.
The national team arrived early in Japan to acclimatise to the colder climate. âAll athletes have undergone health checks and completed two weeks of training in Tokyo to adapt to the cooler conditions,â said Mohd Yusri, adding that communication on the field, especially for Deaf athletes who rely on visual cues, timing, and rhythm, remains among the key challenges.
Preparations for the Games were carried out across multiple locations due to the absence of a centralised training facility. Badminton trained in Petaling Jaya, bowling in USJ, Subang, athletics in Perlis and Terengganu, and karate in Johor Bahru.
âCentralised training would have been ideal, but our athletes adapted well despite being spread across different states,â the CDM noted. âThe main challenge has been communicationâdifferent training venues, varying sign language needs, and coordination between Deaf athletes, hearing coaches, and interpreters.â
Tokyo 2025 is set to become the largest Deaflympics in history, featuring nearly 6,000 participants, including 3,081 athletes from 81 countries and regions converging in the Japanese capital.
In a boost to athletesâ motivation, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh recently announced the confirmed incentive scheme for medal winners: RM80,000 for gold, RM40,000 for silver, and RM20,000 for bronze.
Beyond the pursuit of medals, the Tokyo Games carry a deeper missionâto raise the profile of Deaf athletes in Malaysia and strengthen the role of sport as a platform for inclusion, empowerment, and national unity.
MSDeaf President Dr Ong Shin Ruenn said: âOur athletes are not just representing Malaysia; they are carrying the pride of the entire Deaf community. Tokyo 2025 is not only about medalsâit is about proving that Deaf sports in Malaysia can stand tall on the world stage.â
