Shona Maguire is set to make history as the first Irish judo player to compete at the Deaflympics, taking place from November 15-26, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. This is particularly significant as Japan is the birthplace of judo. The Deaflympics, first held in Paris in 1924, now features 21 sports, including judo, karate, and taekwondo. Judo debuted at the Deaflympics in 2009 and has been part of subsequent events.
To qualify for the Deaflympics, athletes must be registered with their National Deaf Sports Federation, have a hearing loss of at least 55dB in their best ear without hearing aids, and meet performance criteria in regional and national competitions. Shona, who has experienced hearing loss due to recurring benign tumors in her middle ear, returned to judo in 2023 after a long recovery. Inspired by the Paris Olympics, she pursued qualification for the Deaflympics, achieving success in several tournaments, including gold at the 2024 Irish Masters and 2025 British Masters.
Shona trains at PCSJ and OSA Judo with coaches and training partners Lydia Ritchie, Paul Cummins, Patti Gibson‐Park, Iwana Osakowska, and Abdel Meflah. Her journey is described as an inspiring pursuit of a dream she recently discovered was possible.
