Yusuke Okabe Representing Lifenet at Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics

Lifenet Life Insurance's Support for Yusuke Okabe

On November 12, 2023, Lifenet Life Insurance Co., Ltd. held a farewell ceremony for its first Deaf athlete employee, Yusuke Okabe, in preparation for the upcoming Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, where he will compete in the men's decathlon.

Having joined Lifenet in 2016, Okabe has balanced his role as a Deaf athlete with his responsibilities in human resources and promoting understanding toward the Deaf community. Despite his past experiences at the Deaflympics as a competitor in the 400m and 4x400m relay in 2013 and 2017, he faced a setback when he was not selected for the 2021 team. This motivated him to take on a new challenge: the decathlon, a formidable multisport event, starting at the age of 35 in 2022.

During the farewell event at Lifenet's headquarters, colleagues warmly welcomed Yusuke, cheering and waving flags as he was officially selected to represent Japan at the 2025 Deaflympics.

Preparing for the Decathlon

In his speech, Okabe addressed various events within the decathlon, such as discus throw, shot put, pole vault, and more, sharing the challenges and excitement he feels as he aims to break his personal best in each category.

Okabe's passion was evident when he said, "I am thrilled to compete against the world's top athletes from various countries. I aim to contribute back to the company through my unique efforts as a Deaf athlete and fulfill everyone's expectations with my performance."

Words of Motivation

Lifenet's President, Junpei Yokozawa, acknowledged Okabe's determination, stating, "I've witnessed Yusuke's dedication and growth as he takes on the decathlon. It inspires our team and positively impacts how we approach our work. On the day of the Deaflympics, I urge you to look up to the stands after your final event. We at Lifenet are all cheering for you, and we want to see you smiling!" Accompanying this encouragement was a support flag created by employees carrying messages of hope, reading, "Aim for the King of Athletes!"

Supporting Each Other

As for Yusuke, his dream transcends personal victories. He expressed a desire for the Deaflympics to gain recognition akin to the Olympics, thus providing future Deaf children with hopes and dreams through sports. Throughout his years at Lifenet, he has remained committed to his athletics and human resource roles, evident from the enthusiastic messages of support from the company's founders.

Founder Haruki Deguchi sent a message of encouragement, saying, "Yusuke, it’s your time now! Aim for that gold medal! We are all cheering for you!" Meanwhile, founder Daisuke Iwase expressed his respect for Okabe’s continuous efforts and encouraged him not to forget the fun of competition while showcasing his best performance.

As employees rallied together to cheer Yusuke on one last time, it highlighted the supportive culture at Lifenet.

Looking Ahead to the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics

The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, an international competition held every four years for athletes who are Deaf or hard of hearing, will feature 21 sports, including athletics, badminton, basketball, and football. The decathlon will take place at the Komazawa Olympic Park Athletic Stadium, featuring events across two days:

- Day 1 (November 17): 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m
- Day 2 (November 18): 110m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, 1500m

Okabe, born in Akita Prefecture with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, graduated from a reputable university and has worked tirelessly to pave the way for others in the Deaf community by sharing his experiences in athletics and beyond. Balancing training with his responsibilities at Lifenet showcases his dedication to both the sport and societal awareness.

Conclusion

With the support of his colleagues and the Deaf community, Yusuke Okabe embarks on an exciting journey to the Deaflympics. His story serves as an inspiration to many, proving that determination and passion can lead to remarkable achievements, transcending all boundaries.