spokhand

spokhand Avatars. Signs. Stories. We protect sign language for life — with the first Deaf-led data archive.

11/12/2025

“I hope the Deaflympics become more visible,
so that hearing people can see what Deaf athletes can achieve,
and that Deaf athletes will be recognized and respected.”
– Ryo Ogura, Japan Karate Athlete 🥋🇯🇵

Say hello to Ryo (), a Deaf karate athlete proudly representing Japan at the Deaflympics 2025 in Tokyo.

Ryo practices both kata (form and movement) and kumite (combat).
He trains regularly on his own, focusing on mastering precision, balance, and focus — the essence of karate.

When he was only 4 years old, he started mimicking the techniques of Dragon Ball Z at home.
That playful passion soon became a lifelong discipline — a way to challenge himself and inspire others.

🏅 His goal for Tokyo:
to give his best performance and bring honor to Japan.
For Ryo, every punch, every movement is an expression of spirit, patience, and strength.

To him, the Deaflympics are not just a competition —
they’re about visibility and unity, showing that communication goes far beyond words.

The video includes:
• Japanese Sign Language (JSL) by Ryo
• International Sign (IS) thanks to our partner Sayama
• English subtitles by spokhand

Huge thanks to:
• International Committee of Sports for the Deaf
• Special thanks to for IS translation

🔜 More inspiring Deaf athletes coming soon. Stay tuned.

#デフリンピック #日本手話 #手話 #ろう者 #空手

11/07/2025

🏁 Meet the Rider – Team USA Deaf Cycling

“You have a dream — you can make it happen.
Together, we can build a strong team and reach new heights.”
– Blake Herbold, Team USA Deaf Cycling 🚴🇺🇸

👋 Say hello to Blake Herbold, a Deaf cyclist from the United States, competing in both road and mountain cycling at the Deaflympics 2025 in Tokyo.

Blake trains around 15 hours a week, often riding 2–3 hours a day, mixing road intervals and fitness workouts.
He began cycling just five years ago, fell in love with it instantly — and by 2022, he was already competing internationally.

At the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil, Blake finished 4th, narrowly missing the podium.
That experience became his motivation.
Now, his goal for Tokyo is clear:
🏅 to bring home a medal for Team USA.

🌍 For Blake, cycling is more than endurance — it’s a mindset of unity, discipline, and passion.
He believes in bringing Deaf cyclists together to build a stronger, connected community.

💬 The video includes:
• American Sign Language (ASL) by Blake
• International Sign (IS) via our spokhand 3D avatar
• English subtitles

Huge thanks to:
• International Committee of Sports for the Deaf
• Blue20 for the interview support 🎥
• And of course to and Team USA for their dedication and heart

🔜 More inspiring Deaf athletes coming soon. Stay tuned.

10/16/2025

Deaflympics Tokyo 2025 · 30 Days to Go!

The countdown is on ⏳
Only 30 days left until the Deaflympics 2025 begin in Tokyo! 🇯🇵

A global event uniting sport, culture, and the Deaf community is about to start.
From Tokyo, we’ll share exclusive stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments with the world.

Together, let’s make history. 🌍🤟

10/10/2025

“Every day I wake up at 4AM — lift, run, train, and take care of my two kids.
At noon, it’s time for shots. 300, 400, sometimes 500.
Basketball is discipline, focus, and joy.”
– Jon Mowl, Athlete, Team USA Deaf Basketball 🏀

👋 Meet Jon Mowl, representing Team USA at the Deaflympics 2025 in Tokyo.

From early-morning workouts to late-night scrimmages, Jon’s journey is built on hard work and love for the game.
His dedication inspires both Deaf and hearing players to give their best — on and off the court.

Beyond sports, Jon is the founder of Play with ASL, a fun and interactive game that helps people learn American Sign Language through play.
For him, both basketball and gaming share the same spirit — learning, teamwork, and joy.

The Deaflympics is more than competition.
It’s about showing that Deaf athletes have no limits — and that communication is a language of movement, trust, and unity.

💬 The video includes:
• American Sign Language (ASL) by Jon
• International Sign (IS) via our spokhand 3D avatar
• English subtitles

Huge thanks to:
• International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (https://www.instagram.com/icsd_official)
• Blue20 () for the interview support 🎥
• And of course to Jon Mowl () and Team USA ( & ) for their passion and leadership

🔜 More inspiring Deaf athletes coming soon. Stay tuned.

10/02/2025

« I want to tell you that you can go to the competition with dreams and hopes, regardless of whether you are deaf. » – Midori, Japan Sprinting Athlete 🏃‍♀️🇯🇵

👋 Say hello to Midori (), a Deaf sprinter proudly representing Japan at the Deaflympics 2025 in Tokyo.

She trains 4–5 times a week, with focused 3-hour sessions at her local stadium. This November, she will compete in two major relay events:
• The Mixed 4×400 Relay
• The Women’s 4×100 Relay

Her goal? To give her best, and to bring home a medal for Japan.

🌍 For Midori, the Deaflympics are not just about competition. They’re about unity – Deaf and hearing people coming together to support athletes, celebrate resilience, and prove that communication is more than words.

💬 The video includes:
• Japanese Sign Language (JSL) by Midori
• International Sign (IS) thanks to our partner Sayama 🙏
• English subtitles by spokhand

Huge thanks to:
•International Committee of Sports for the Deaf
•Our ambassador .avallon
•Special thanks to for IS translation

🔜 More inspiring Deaf athletes coming soon. Stay tuned.

#デフリンピック #日本手話 #手話 #ろう者 #応援

09/26/2025

Deaflympics Tokyo 2025 · 50 Days to Go!

The countdown is on ⏳
Only 50 days left until the Deaflympics 2025 begin in Tokyo! 🇯🇵

A global event uniting sport, culture, and the Deaf community is about to start.
From Tokyo, we’ll share exclusive stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments with the world.

Together, let’s make history. 🌍🤟

09/24/2025

Sign language must be recognized worldwide! Many countries have started to recognize it, and recently, even North Korea has acknowledged sign language. Let’s celebrate and value our rich and unique language across the globe! Sign language is not just for the Deaf; it’s for everyone!

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