October 02, 2025

Takayoshi Okina of Sumiju Will Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President, and CEO: Kaoru Kawashima; a fully owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.) will participate in the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics* held in Tokyo on November 15 (Sat)–26 (Wed), 2025, as part of the Japan men’s national handball team.

The Deaflympics were first held in Paris in 1924. This means that the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics not only mark the first time the games are held in Japan but also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Deaflympics.
Furthermore, the first match of the Japan men's national handball team is scheduled for November 16 (Sun) against the Turkey national team.

■ Information on the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics handball members (Japan Handball Association)
https://www.handball.or.jp/system/prog/game_event_teams.php?sd=&sm=g&ed=&eid=378

■ Player profile

Name:Takayoshi Okina
Date of birth: November 18, 1993 (age 31)
Height/Weight:180 cm/85 kg
Handball experience:Approx. 2 years (debuted in November 2023)
Position: Pivot (PV)
Playing style:His strengths lie in speed-driven fast breaks, powerful offense, and solid defense.
Future goal:Continuing to pursue handball with full commitment, with the aim of representing Japan at the 2027 World Championship.

■ Player's statement
Handball is a “ball martial art” where the outcome of the game not only depends on speed, jumping ability, and throwing power but also on intelligence for understanding tactics.
With my body and mind honed to their fullest, I compete with the determination to claim victory.

*Deaflympics: International “Olympics for Deaf people".
Reference: The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics official website - What are the Deaflympics?
https://deaflympics2025-games.jp/en/main-info/about-deaflympics/#gsc.tab=0