Back Issue: #243 - August 2011

2012 World Deaf Table Tennis Championships Update

2012 World Deaf Table Tennis Championships Logo

Greetings

Now we have nine months to go for the 2012 World Deaf Table Tennis Championship, opening in April next year. The preliminary entry has been closed on June 24th, 2011, and the Technical Director is currently reviewing prospective participants.

Table Tennis Team Japan has won 44 gold medals, 29 silver medals, and 11 bronze medals, after winning first Deaflympic medal in 1965.

A Japanese table tennis athlete, Masayuki Ikushima was selected as one of the Top 10 CISS Athletes of the Century. He was the only winner from Japan. Encouraged by its history, table tennis has been a very popular sport in Japan.

In the National Deaf Games in Japan, some 200 athletes get together and compete in the annual event. The H.I.S. 2009 World Table Tennis Championships held in Yokohama was broadcasted nationally to draw a wide range of attention, and stirred nationwide interest in the sport to have more players and table tennis lovers. In the positive mood in table tennis, we are honored to host the ICSD world championship here in Japan.

Aiming at the promotion and development of deaf sports in Japan, we have been making a careful preparation of this event. However, on March 11th, 2011, the historical mega earthquake and devastating tsunami struck the eastern regions of Japan. The great disaster swiped everything in a moment all of a sudden, took many lives away, and the entire nation was struck in a black despair and grief. At the same time, we express our deepest gratitude to many heartfelt supports around the world in the difficult time. Now we are determined to start over the preparation, with a hope that this international event will encourage and empower the people around the country for recovery and rehabilitation.

The logo and mascot for the championship has just been released. The mascot is designed with a sea horse, frequently appeared as a symbol of the deaf in Japan. We are calling for the name of this mascot from the deaf people in Japan, to promote the event throughout the country.

From August 6th to 9th, visit of the ICSD Technical Director of table tennis is scheduled. We will be able to have a presentation about the event preparation in detail to the inspectors.

The competition venue, National Olympics Memorial Youth Center, was the former athlete village for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. Both the gyms and accommodation facilities are located within the site, so that the athletes would enjoy the easy access. The facilities are recently renovated and updated. The competition period will be the most beautiful season of the year in Japan: green leaves are sprouting out around, and the climate is warm and mild.

In May, 2012, the world highest radio tower, Tokyo Sky Tree (634 meters high) will have an opening- taking its foot on the representative traditional neighborhoods of Japan, such as Asakusa, symbolized by Kaminari-mon Gate, and Ryogoku, known as the home of sumo wrestling. Along with the traditional culture since Edo period from the 17th century, Tokyo is the heart of the world-class new technology and trend of culture. You may be reminded of the Ogasawara Islands, which has just been designated as the world heritage by UNESCO. Also rich with natural environment, Tokyo has such diverse attractions.

We pledge to work for all the athletes, officials, and spectators, to ensure enduring and inspirational experience in Tokyo. We are looking forward to meeting all the teams and staff members around the world.

Organizing Committee, 2012 World Deaf Table Tennis Championships

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