2025 Tokyo Deaflympics to Open on November 15... Korea to Send Largest-Ever Delegation of 174 Members

On November 15, 2025, the Deaflympics will open in Tokyo, Japan, and South Korea will send its largest-ever delegation of 174 members to the event.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on October 22 that the delegation will consist of 94 athletes, 43 competition officials, and 37 headquarters officials. The athletes will compete in 12 disciplines, including athletics, judo, shooting, and tennis, against competitors from around the world.

2025 Tokyo Deaflympics to Open on November 15... Korea to Send Largest-Ever Delegation of 174 Members
Daehyun Kim, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

At 2:00 p.m. on the same day, a send-off ceremony for the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics will be held at Olympia Hall in Seoul Olympic Parktel. Daehyun Kim, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will attend and offer words of encouragement to the national team of athletes with disabilities who will participate in the Deaflympics.

The Deaflympics is an Olympic-level international sporting event for the hearing impaired, organized by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD). Like the Olympics, it is held every four years, with the Summer Games starting in 1924 and the Winter Games in 1949.

Approximately 250 people, including athletes, coaches, executives and staff of the Korea Sports Association of the Deaf, and officials from the Korea Paralympic Committee, will attend the send-off ceremony. Vice Minister Daehyun Kim will present encouragement funds to the delegation and wish for their success and safety.

The 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics will be held from November 15 to 26, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan, featuring competitions in 21 sports. This event is especially significant as it marks the 100th anniversary of the Deaflympics.

Vice Minister Daehyun Kim stated, “I hope that the sweat and hard work of our athletes will bear fruit at this meaningful event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Deaflympics,” and added, “The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to support our athletes so they can compete safely and fully demonstrate the skills they have honed over the years.”