Deaflympics Golf

Note: FUTURE Deaflympics - Athens, Greece in 2029

Historical Timeline & Overview

Golf made its debut at the Deaflympics in 2017, during the 23rd Summer Deaflympics held in Samsun, Turkey, officially becoming a medal sport

The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) approved the inclusion in 2015, following the World Deaf Golf Federation’s proposal submitted in 2013

Venue & Format

In 2017, the golf competition took place at the Samsun Golf Course, a nine-hole course on a reclaimed coast in Atakum, created specifically for the Deaflympics in July 2016

The competition structure combines stroke play qualifying followed by a match play knockout format, which was well-received by participants

Medalists—By Year

2025 – Tokyo, Japan

2025 Summer Deaflympics Golf took place in Tokyo, Japan. The competition structure combines stroke play and then mixed play. The mixed play (two best ball, man and woman) was first time ever played.

Men

Gold: Allen John (Germany)
Silver: Kevin Hall (USA)
Bronze: Nico Guldan (Germany)

Women

Gold: Diksha Dagar (India)
Silver: Margaux Bréjo (France)
Bronze: Erica Dawn Rivard (Canada)

Mixed

Gold: Russel Bowie/Erica Dawn Rivard (Canada)
Silver: Vanessa Girke/John Allen (Germany)
Bronze: Nico Guldan/Stefanie Mayer (Germany)

Allen John defended his title that was his third gold medal, and Diksha Dagar won the gold medal, her second one. In Mixed Play, Russell Bowie and Erica Dawn Rivard of Canada won 1st place. 2nd and 3rd place were won by two Germany teams.

2021 (held in 2022) – Caxias do Sul, Brazil

Golf returned at the 2021 Summer Deaflympics (conducted in May 2022 due to COVID-19 restrictions / shutdowns). The competition structure combines stroke play qualifying followed by a match play knockout format.

Men

Gold: Allen John (Germany)
Silver: Russell Bowie (Canada)
Bronze: Isaac Makokha (Kenya)

Women

Gold: Diksha Dagar (India)
Silver: Ashlyn Johnson (USA)
Bronze: Margaux Bréjo (France) (World Deaf Golf, Nation Africa, Olympics)

Allen John defended his title successfully, and Diksha Dagar upgraded to gold after a silver in Turkey 2017, underscoring their dominance in Deaflympic golf. Isaac Makokha, from Kenya, won bronze in the men’s event, marking a historic first medal for Kenya in Deaflympic golf—celebrated widely back home.

2017 – Samsun, Turkey

Men

Gold: Allen John (Germany)
Silver: Paul Waring (GBR)
Bronze: Steven Cafferty (GBR)

Women

Gold: Kaylin Yost (USA)
Silver: Diksha Dagar (India)
Bronze: Andrea Hjellegjerde (NOR)

Allen John secured the first-ever Deaflympic golf gold in men’s category; Kaylin Yost did similarly on the women’s side Indian golfer Diksha Dagar made history with a silver medal, becoming one of India’s first Deaflympic golf medalists

Key Highlights

2017—Golf’s entry into the Deaflympics marked a pivotal milestone for the sport and the Deaf sporting community.

Allen John (Germany) emerged as the inaugural men’s champion and successfully defended his title in 2021.

Diksha Dagar (India) notably progressed from silver (2017) to gold (2021), also becoming the first athlete ever to compete in both the Olympics and Deaflympics.

The rise of golf in Deaflympics also highlights the broader growth and inclusivity in paralympic-style sports, allowing athletes with deafness to compete on a global stage.

Here’s the latest on golf at the 2025 Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo—covering the event format, venue, participation rules, and early preparations:

Event Format & Rules