For the next 100 days, Mandurah teen William Liitiaeinen will be training for his goal of competing at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo.

This will be the first time the 19-year-old runner will compete at the Deaflympics after qualifying this summer.

“It means a huge deal to me. It means that I can proudly wear green and gold and make my nation proud of my performances in Tokyo on the track,” Liitiaeinen said.

“It’s been a big goal and dream of mine and has been my drive to train hard.”

Liitiaeinen started running in 2017 aged 11 and two years later started down the competitive path.

The 19-year-old is deaf in both ears without his cochlear implants, which poses unique challenges.

“When it comes to training near or on the road, I can’t hear cars or other people. This poses a risk and I n

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