Mizue Yamada began playing table tennis in her first year of junior high school. With the Deaflympics as her ultimate goal, she enrolled in a high school known for its strong table tennis program. Since making her debut at the 2013 Deaflympics in Sofia as a third-year student, she has competed in three consecutive editions and achieved outstanding results in both domestic and international tournaments. As Mizue Yamada trains daily with her sights set on the TOKYO 2025 DEAFLYMPICS, we asked her what fuels her passion for the sport.
You started playing table tennis in junior high school. What inspired you to take it up?
“I had been doing dance and swimming since I was little and planned to continue both in junior high. But my school didn’t have a dance or swim club. I still wanted to be involved in some kind of sport, and since my mom and older sister were playing table tennis, I decided to join the club without thinking too much about it. I remember copying an older student who hit the ball with a powerful forehand drive. When I tried swinging the racket with full force, it felt incredibly refreshing. The fast-paced, aggressive style of play really suited my naturally impatient personality.”
What do you find most appealing about table tennis as a sport?
“It’s definitely the speed. Especially how fast the rallies are. In a match, the entire flow can shift in an instant with just a single play, so you can’t afford to let your guard down for even a second. Like many sports, I think table tennis is a game that demands concentration and the mental strength to never give up until the very end.”
Playing doubles seems to offer a different kind of unique appeal.
“What matters most in doubles is the trust between you and your partner. It all starts with open communication, clearly expressing your strengths and weaknesses, and building mutual understanding from there. Even if your partner makes a mistake during a match, you encourage each other by saying, ‘It’s okay! Don’t worry!’ One of the great things about playing double is that sense of reassurance, knowing you’re not fighting alone.”
During a match, what do you try to keep in mind in order to win?
“I try to keep smiling, no matter how tough the situation gets. I used to have a habit of looking down whenever I made a mistake. That would make my play stiff, and tense up my mindset, leading to a negative cycle. While I was searching for a better way to handle that, I learned that Hina Hayata consciously makes an effort to smile during matches and I decided to give it a try. Now, when I walk into a match or find myself in a difficult spot, I will intentionally put on a smile. It helps me relax, and strangely enough, I’ve found that the ball often lands just where I want it to.”
You’ve competed in three consecutive Deaflympics since the 2013 Deaflympics in Sofia. Is there a moment from any of those tournaments that stands out in your memory?
“One moment that still leaves a strong impression on me is when Moe Ueda won the gold medal in the women’s singles at the Sofia 2013 Deaflympics, which was my first time competing. Moe is usually cheerful and easygoing, but before her matches, she would completely shut herself off from everything around her and enter her own zone. She had this intense aura that made it hard to even approach her, and I could really feel the pressure she was under to win at the Deaflympics. Her opponent in the final was a player from Russia. Once the match started, Moe’s usual aggressive style didn’t work. But then she quickly shifted gears, switched to a defensive strategy, and focused solely on endurance.
In the end, she won 4–1 and claimed her long-awaited first gold medal. Watching her pushing through even though her strongest weapon was no longer working, was incredibly moving. At the same time, I realized just how tough it is to reach the top of the world.”
You were inspired by the achievements of your senior teammates and now you’re making your own mark on the international stage.
“Not only are international players incredibly powerful, but their spin control is also impressive, too. Competing against them requires an even higher level of technical skill. Countries like China, Ukraine, and India are packed with top-level talent, so the fact that I was able to win bronze medals in doubles at both the Samsun Deaflympics in 2017 and Brazil Deaflympics in 2021 is largely thanks to everything I learned from my senior teammates. There’s a high and solid wall when it comes to competing on the world stage. But I’ve developed a strong desire to break through it. I think that mindset has really motivated me to play more aggressively and stay true to my own style.”
This year, the Deaflympics will finally be held in Tokyo. Expectations are high for your performance.
“What I can do now is push myself to the limit, and show my best performance with deep gratitude to all those who have supported and cheered me on up to this point.
Especially in the singles event, I’m aiming for a medal, something I have yet to achieve. Of course, my ultimate goal is the gold!”
For many people, this may be their first time learning about the Deaflympics. Could you share what makes it exciting to watch?
“People often assume the Deaflympics is a quiet event, but there are plenty of powerful moments, such as fist pumps, intense plays, and a real sense of heat and energy during matches. In table tennis, the rules are exactly the same as in competitions for hearing athletes. But since we can’t rely on sound to judge the speed or spin of the ball, the use of visual cues and developing strategies become extremely important.
If you come to watch, I recommend paying attention to players’ eye movements and how they maintain their focus throughout the match, that’s part of what makes it so exciting.”
How should spectators cheer during matches?
“Clapping, shouting, anything is fine. Even if we can’t hear the sounds, we can clearly see your facial expressions, the way your mouth moves, and your hand gestures. That’s more than enough to feel your support. One moment that really stayed with me was at the Samsun Deaflympics 2017. Athletes from other sports came to cheer on our table tennis matches with stick balloons. Every time a point was scored, I could see them banging the balloons in celebration. Even though I couldn’t hear the sound, I could feel the vibrations in the air and that really lifted my energy. I’m already looking forward to TOKYO 2025 DEAFLYMPICS, knowing that there will be even more cheering. Your support gives us strength, so I hope you’ll cheer us on!”
The success of Deaf athletes is sure to inspire many people.
“I especially hope that others with hearing impairments, like myself, will come watch the Deaflympics and experience the unique appeal of Deaf sports. To be honest, I didn’t start out loving table tennis. But through Deaf table tennis, I’ve had the chance to meet so many people and gain so many experiences. I’ve learned how to express who I am through sport, and now I’m able to compete on the world stage. I truly feel grateful that I chose to play table tennis. I really hope others will have similar experiences.”
Many people from around the world will be coming to watch the TOKYO 2025 DEAFLYMPICS. Are there any spots in Tokyo you’d recommend them to enjoy along with the games?
“One place I’d recommend is Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, located next to Toyosu Market. It’s a great place where you can casually enjoy sushi and seafood rice bowls made with fresh ingredients straight from the market. After taking a tour of the market, I hope visitors will treat themselves to a delicious seafood meal. And I really hope people try monjayaki, one of my personal favorites. In the Tsukishima area, you’ll find dozens of monjayaki restaurants, and honestly, you can’t go wrong at any of them. My favorite toppings are spicy cod roe and cheese. There’s nothing better than gathering around the hot griddle with friends, laughing and having a great time scooping up monja straight from the grill, and enjoying drinks together. I hope everyone gets a taste of Tokyo’s beloved local comfort food.”
＜Profile＞
YAMADA Mizue
Born in 1995 in Saitama Prefecture. Despite having congenital hearing impairment, she attended mainstream schools and began playing table tennis in her first year of junior high school. She went on to enroll at Akikusa Gakuen High School, a school known for its strong table tennis program. At the 2013 Deaflympics in Sofia, where she made her debut as a third-year high school student, she won a bronze medal in the team event. She went on to win bronze medals in both the doubles and team events at the Samsun Deaflympics in 2017, and at the Brazil Deaflympics in 2021, a bronze in doubles and a silver in the team event. She has been selected to represent Japan at the TOKYO 2025 DEAFLYMPICS, scheduled to be held in November 2025.
She currently represents SMBC Nikko Securities Inc.
