Two Ukrainian athletes won gold medals in the sprint distance orienteering events on Saturday, claiming the first medals of the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics. Nazar Levytskyi triumphed in the men's event, while Anna Vanasaun won the women's. The events took place mainly at Hibiya Park in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward.
The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics kicked off with sprint distance orienteering on Saturday, November 15, marking the first competition of the games. In this sport, not featured in the Olympics or Paralympics, athletes navigate using a map and compass to reach control points in sequence, racing to the finish line as quickly as possible.
The events started one by one in front of a commercial facility near Hibiya Park and concluded inside the park, where spectators greeted finishers with applause expressed in sign language.
Ukraine, a powerhouse in orienteering, swept the gold, silver, and bronze medals in both the men's and women's events. Nazar Levytskyi claimed gold in the men's competition, and his compatriot Anna Vanasaun won gold in the women's.
Japan entered three athletes in each event. Taro Kojima, 42, achieved the team's best result with 10th place in the men's race. "I was so happy to see my friends and teammates cheering me on that I cried after crossing the finish line," Kojima said.
These victories highlighted the prowess of deaf athletes at the start of the Deaflympics, held in Tokyo.