TOKYO - The 25th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo get underway this Saturday, Nov. 15, to begin nearly two weeks of competition between 126 countries and thousands of athletes until Wednesday, Nov. 26.
This is the 100th anniversary of the Deaflympics, which first started in 1924. This is the first Summer Deaflympics hosted by Japan and the fourth time the Asian-Pacific National Deaf Sports Association has hosted the Summer Deaflympics. The last Summer Deaflympics in the region was Taiwan (2009), Australia (2005) and New Zealand (1989). The last Summer Deaflympics took place in 2022 in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, due to the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the 2021 schedule.
Many current and former Gallaudet University student athletes, coaches and staff are representing their respective countries during the competition and GU's Athletic Department wishes everyone the best of luck.
Below is a list of current Gallaudet student athletes, coaches and staff on various USA Deaf Teams competing in the Deaflympics:
Team USA Team Leaders
Operations – Justen Burns
Sport – Lynn Ray Boren
Men's Basketball
Keanu Ray Boren
Blessed Mbogo
Jory Valencia
Keith Westhoelter - Asst. Coach
Women's Basketball
Emelia Beldon
Men's Track and Field
Sevan Ikeda
Darius Zarembka
Men's Volleyball
Zachary Bippus
Ben Campman – Asst. Coach
Tyler Wascher
Elian Zfati
Women's Volleyball
Ella Gamble
Nicole Hicks – Team Manager
Citrine Lummer
Leila Sicoli
Brielle Worley
Jada Zarembka
Medical Staff
Tom McKnight
Teri Wood
* The list was compiled from Team USA Deaf Sport websites that had information and the official 2025 Deaflympics website
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