Ayaju Matsunaga

New Topics

Ayami Matsunaga Wins Gold Medal at Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics!

Ayami Matsunaga, a hometown athlete of Inagi City (Deaf Volleyball), won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics! You can view her achievements and more from the link below.

• Matsunaga wins gold medal at Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics!
• Main initiatives for Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics and within the city are here

Back to the top of this page

Ayami Matsunaga (Inagi City Hometown Athlete)

Certification Date

Friday, August 22, 2025

Department

Deaf Volleyball Player

Profile

Born on November 15, 1996. Graduated from Nagamine Elementary School.

Career

• Has congenital hearing loss and started playing volleyball from the first year of junior high school.
• 2025 Japan National Team for Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics
• February 2026 Tokyo Metropolitan Honor Award and Tokyo Citizens' Sports Award Recipient

Main Achievements

• 2024 Deaf Volleyball World Championship Okinawa Tomigusuku Tournament 1st Place
• 2025 Japan Deaf Volleyball Cup Kawasaki Tournament 1st Place
• 2025 Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics 1st Place

About the Deaflympics and Deaf Volleyball

The Deaflympics is an international "Olympics for the deaf and hard of hearing" held once every four years. The event to be held in Tokyo in 2025 will be the first time in Japan and will mark the 100th anniversary of the games.

Volleyball for the hearing impaired (Deaf volleyball) is played under the same rules as regular volleyball, but players and coaches communicate using sign language, eye contact, body language, and other methods.

Interview (August 2025)

What are your memories of Inagi City?

I remember having a lot of fun playing dodgeball tournaments with my friends and going to the (i no machi Inagi) Citizen Festival when I attended Nagamine Elementary School.

What does it feel like to be recognized as a hometown athlete?

I am very happy because this is the first time a deaf athlete has been certified. Unlike the Paralympics, the recognition of the Deaflympics, deaf athletes, and deaf sports themselves is low, so I am glad that being certified as a hometown athlete has become an opportunity for people to learn about them.

What has been difficult about continuing to play volleyball?

During the period aiming to represent Japan, there were tough times with injuries and failures, but I feel blessed to have good coaches and a good environment, so I want to continue doing my best from now on.

How to become an athlete active on the world stage?

I believe that you can't take the first step without first creating the image of the person you want to become. Just as you make efforts to get good scores on tests, volleyball is the same; even small goals are fine. If you envision the person you want to be and work wholeheartedly toward your goals, I think you'll be fine.

What are your thoughts on the Deaflympics?

The Paralympics have a recognition rate of 90%, but it is often thought that hearing impairments are also included in parasports. Changing the world is difficult, but I want to use the Deaflympics as an opportunity to raise awareness that such people exist.

What is your enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics?

I won the World Championship in June 2024, but there are still many challenges. I will work hard to overcome these challenges and win the gold medal. Everyone, please support me!

 

Back to the top of this page