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For Ethan Powell, competing at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo was a proud and memorable step in his sporting journey.
Ethan has loved sport for as long as he can remember. He started playing from a young age and tried a range of sports, including footy, soccer, athletics and basketball. Over time, basketball became his main focus. Since beginning organised basketball as a teenager, he has continued to build his skills, confidence and love for the game.
Like many deaf and hard of hearing athletes, Ethan has faced barriers in sport, particularly around communication. Growing up, one of the biggest challenges was not always hearing instructions clearly during training and games. With strong support from his family, Ethan learned to advocate for what he needed. He was also fortunate to be part of a welcoming basketball club that worked with him to make communication more accessible and support his success on the court.
Representing Australia at the Deaflympics meant a great deal to Ethan. In his interview, he shared how proud he felt pulling on the Australian jersey for the first time, especially at just 16 years old. For him, it was not only about basketball. It was also about representing his country, making his family proud and proving to himself that he could compete at an elite level.
Ethan’s report also highlights the impact of the experience beyond the scoreboard. One of the most meaningful parts of the Deaflympics was meeting deaf athletes from across Australia and around the world. Coming from Western Australia, where the deaf sporting community can feel smaller, the opportunity to build those connections gave him a stronger sense of belonging. He also took pride in his performance, including leading his team in blocks, and reflected on how the experience strengthened his confidence, teamwork and self-belief.
The road to Tokyo was not without challenges. Ethan had to manage the financial pressure of attending the Games, health setbacks earlier in the year, and the adjustments that came with being one of the youngest players on the team. With the support of Deaf Children Australia’s youth grant, he was able to take part in an opportunity that may not otherwise have been possible.
Ethan is now looking ahead to the next Deaflympics in Greece in 2029, with a clear goal to keep improving and grow into a leadership role.
If you want to learn more, please watch the interview below.
