Get Inspired
When Thomas Flook travelled to Tokyo for the 2025 Deaflympics, he was not just representing Australia in the pool. He was also representing the strength, pride and determination of deaf and hard of hearing athletes on the world stage.
Thomas competed as part of the Aussie Deaf Seals Swim Team in a range of breaststroke, medley and relay events. His selection for the team marked a major milestone in his sporting journey and reflected the hard work, commitment and discipline he has shown over time. After competing strongly at the Australian Deaf Games in Newcastle in 2024, Thomas was encouraged to pursue swimming more seriously and work towards international competition. From there, he committed himself to training, qualified through state and national events, and earned his place at the Deaflympics.
For Thomas, the experience was about far more than racing. It was an opportunity to be part of a global Deaf sporting community where access and inclusion were built into the competition environment. Visual lighting systems, shared understanding and strong team support helped create a space where athletes could focus on performance rather than barriers. Thomas said this made a real difference to his confidence and allowed him to feel that he truly belonged.
One of Thomas’s proudest achievements was recording personal best times across all of his races. He was also part of relay teams that reached the finals, placing fourth in the freestyle relay and sixth in the medley relay. Outside the pool, the experience also gave him the opportunity to connect with deaf and hard of hearing athletes from around the world, build friendships, and share the values of dedication, teamwork and inclusion.
The Deaf Children Australia grant played an important role in helping make this opportunity possible. As Thomas explained in his report, the financial support eased the pressure of self-funding travel and competition costs, allowing him to focus on training and representing Australia with pride.
Thomas hopes to continue competing at an elite level and inspire younger deaf and hard of hearing athletes to back themselves, ask for support when needed, and give sport a go.
If you want to learn more, please watch the interview below.
