No limits: French (centre) posing with his trainees during the 4th Johor President Cup Karate Championship at the Johor Jaya multipurpose hall in Johor Baru.
JOHOR BARU: After two years training deaf athletes, karate coach Caleb Zheng En French has learned that communication is not just about words.
The 30-year-old coach said although communication was the toughest challenge he faced when he first took up the task, it also made him realise that speaking was only one way to connect.
“I didn’t know sign language at all then, so I had to be creative and find ways for all to understand each other.
“I adapted quickly, using a mix of phone text messages, gestures, physical demonstrations and signs to make myself and the athletes understand.
“Slowly, I started to pick up sign language with the help of my trainees and by taking some courses,” the National Deaf Karate Team coach said in an interview here.
French, who is also the Johor assistant karate coach, said communication has since become smoother, allowing him to build a stronger bond with his team.
“I now use different methods, depending on the situation. Sign language is the main way but I also demonstrate exercises so they can watch and learn before practising.
“For longer instructions, I use text on the phone, and sometimes, I rely on simple hand gestures as visual cues,” he said, adding that his athletes often quickly picked up movements even without verbal instructions.
For deaf athletes, he said karate is not just about punches and kicks but about proving that silence is no barrier to strength.
“Some joined to build confidence and defend themselves, others simply because they refused to let their disability define their limits.
“Karate gives them a platform to bring out their true potential and show the world who they really are.
“For them, the sport offers friendship, belonging and the chance to stand tall in a world that often overlooks them,” he said.
French said his proudest moments were not just victories but watching his athletes grow in confidence and resilience.
“Seeing them train with dedication and then carry those values into their daily lives inspires me to be a better coach,” he said, adding that he has witnessed first-hand how his athletes transformed through training.
That dedication shone at the 4th Johor President Cup Karate Championship in August where hearing-impaired athletes V. Yilamaran struck gold in the +84kg category, with Muhammad Afiq Mohd Taib taking silver in the +67kg.
Looking ahead, French said his team was now focused on preparing for the Deaflympics 2025, to be held in Tokyo next month.
“Our target is for each athlete to perform their very best and aim for victories in their respective categories.
“This championship is a major milestone for them, and success there would mean a lot not only to the athletes but also to me as their coach,” he said.
