Elementary School Children Experience the World of Deaf Sports at Rikkyo

A Day of Deaf Sports Experience at Rikkyo Elementary

On September 17, 2025, at Rikkyo Elementary School in Toshima, Tokyo, the K.I. Star Real Estate Co., Ltd. organized a Deaf sports experience session. The event was facilitated in collaboration with the school as part of their educational program for the 4th-grade students preparing for their upcoming learning exhibition. The K.I. Challenged Athlete Team, consisting of members such as Nana Kawabata, Ai Iwabuchi, Kana Shoji, and coach Yoshiki Yamamoto, led the session while approximately 120 students participated from Rikkyo Elementary.

The main goal of this experience was to raise awareness and understanding about Deaflympics and disabilities by allowing the participants to interact with athletes from the K.I. Challenged Athlete Team, who shared their experiences in Deaf sports. This event holds significant relevance as the 2025 Deaflympics will be held in Tokyo, marking the first time the event takes place in Japan, and providing students with a rare opportunity to learn about the Deaf community.

During the session, students engaged in various activities and lectures, starting with introductions from the athletes followed by discussions about the history of the Deaflympics. The interaction peaked with a fun quiz, and they also experienced a silent world through gesture games. Many students found it challenging to convey their thoughts without words, and some even instinctively spoke out loud.

One standout activity was the colorful dribbling game, where children had to dribble according to the gestures given by Deaf athletes. This task required great focus and determination, which was visible as the children immersed themselves in the challenge.