Malta will proudly be represented at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, with cyclist John Camilleri set to compete on the international stage. He will be accompanied by Chef de Mission George Vella, a long-time advocate for Deaf sport.

The 25th Summer Deaflympics will take place in Tokyo, Japan, from 15 to 26 November 2025, marking the 100th anniversary of the Games. Camilleri, aged 28, will participate in two cycling events — the Time Trial on Thursday, 20 November, and the Mass Start on Saturday, 22 November (both at 9:00 a.m. Tokyo time / 1:00 a.m. Malta time).

A biomedical engineer at Saint James Hospital, Camilleri has been active in competitive cycling for eight seasons. Despite undergoing cochlear implant surgery at age three to assist with communication, he has never let hearing loss slow his ambitions. Over the years, he has achieved multiple podium finishes both locally and abroad, including a bronze medal in the men’s team road race at the GSSE Andorra 2025, his most notable success to date.

The Deaflympics — first held in Paris in 1924 — are dedicated to athletes with hearing impairments. To ensure fair competition, participants must have a hearing loss of at least 55 dB in their better ear, and the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants is prohibited during events. Instead, competitions rely on visual signals, such as starting lights and flags, with International Sign Language serving as one of the official languages.

Tokyo 2025 will welcome around 3,000 athletes from 80 countries across seven sports. This year’s edition marks the first time Japan is hosting the Deaflympics, adding historical significance to the centenary celebrations.

Malta made its Deaflympics debut in Rome in 2001 and has since participated in three other editions — Taipei (2009), Sofia (2013), and Samsun (2017). Malta also celebrated success at the 1st Deaf European Marathon Championships in Lublin, Poland, where George Vella, now serving as Chef de Mission, won silver in 2015. Vella previously served as the first Vice President of the Malta Paralympic Committee (2018–2021) and has championed Deaf sport for over 30 years.

Team Malta’s participation at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics is supported by the Malta Paralympic Committee and SportMalta, through the SportMalta International Participation Scheme 2025.

John Camilleri expressed gratitude to his personal sponsors for their continuous support: VisitMalta, PwC, EJ Busutill – Cochlear Implant, GasanMamo Insurance, Saint James Hospital, Diligenza, and Browns.