Three golds for Gower as GB win 12 Deaflympics medals

At the Deaflympics in Tokyo, Great Britain won 12 medals under the direction of Charlotte Gower, who also won three.

As part of a seven-medal haul in the Japanese capital, which also included silver in the women’s 4x100m medley relay, Gower, 15, won the 200-meter individual medley and the 100- and 200-meter backstroke events.

British team-mate Katy Wun also won numerous medals in the pool, including gold in the 800 and 1500 freestyle competitions.

The women’s football team from Great Britain won bronze with a 2-0 victory over Australia away from the water.

Every four years, there are international multi-sports competitions for deaf athletes.

Following the reorganization of the Deaflympics due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Great Britain did not send a delegation to compete in 2022.

The 2026 team had to raise £4,000 each to cover the £500,000 cost of sending 100 athletes and support staff to Tokyo.

The government does not directly support athletes competing in Deaflympics via UK Sport, in contrast to the Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Gold

Charlotte Gower – 200-meter individual medley

100-meter backstroke champion Charlotte Gower

Charlotte Gower – 200 m backstroke

1500m freestyle by Katy Wun

800-meter freestyle by Katy Wun

Silver

Charlotte Gower – 50-meter backstroke

Charlotte Gower – 100 m freestyle

Charlotte Gower, Katy Wun, Lucy Jordan-Caws, Nicola Hutchison, Mia Wiseman, and Ellie Graham compete in the women’s 4x100m medley relay.

Bronze

400-meter freestyle by Katy Wun

400-meter individual medley by Katy Wun

Charlotte Gower – 200 m freestyle