Manitoba's Graham Bodnar has been officially selected to represent the Canadian Deaf National Men's Basketball team at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan. This prestigious event marks a historic milestone as it will be the first time in 40 years, since 1985, that Canada has qualified for the Deaflympics in Men's Basketball.
Reflecting on his journey, Bodnar recalls the pivotal moment when the Canada Deaf Games came to Winnipeg in 2018. "It truly opened my eyes to a world I didn't know existed," he remarked. That fall, Bodnar had the opportunity to try out for the Deaf National Team despite not fully understanding what it entailed. He vividly remembers the coach expressing confidence in his potential, believing that with Bodnar on the team, they could achieve significant strides internationally.
Through dedication and perseverance, Bodnar familiarized himself with the workings of the Deaflympics, the highest level in Deaf Sports. It became his goal to contribute everything he could to help the team reach this elite level. "While I still can't believe the opportunities I've had along the way, after all these years, it is finally official," Bodnar expressed with pride.
CONGRATULATIONS GRAHAM!