- 한국어
- English
- 日本語
- 中文
- العربية
- Español
- Français
- Deutsch
- Pусский
- Tiếng Việt
- Indonesian
By Honorary Reporter Foteini Chatzoudi from Greece
Photos = 700Creators
Joel Jin Nwamadi, 19, is a sprinter specializing in the men's 100 m and 4x100 relay. He recently began his senior career to represent Korea at international competitions.
Born to a Nigerian father and a Korean mother, the athlete last year set a national high school record of 10.3 seconds in the 100. In October this year, he won the gold medal in both the 100 and 200 at the National Sports Festival in Busan.
He will be among celebrity bell ringers at the annual New Year's Eve event at Bosingak Belfry in Seoul's Jongno-no District.
Joel Jin Nwamadi shows the gold medal (left) he won in October in the men's 100-m event at the National Sports Festival in Busan and the one he earned in July in the 4x100-m relay at the FISU World University Games in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region of Germany.
In an email interview conducted from Dec. 19-24, he said, "I started athletics in elementary school after a teacher encouraged me to try track and field. Over time as I trained and competed more, I realized that pursuing athletics as a career was what I wanted to do."
On his daily regimen, he said, "A typical training day includes sprint drills, strength training, and technical work such as starts and acceleration. Recovery and conditioning are also very important parts of my routine, along with maintaining a disciplined daily lifestyle."
His biggest joy as an athlete is seeing the results of his hard work on the track. "Representing my country and the national team gives me a strong sense of pride and responsibility," he said.
On why he thought he was chosen as a bell ringer for the New Year's Eve event, he said, "I believe this honor reflects not only my recent athletic achievements but also a message of hope and possibility that sports hold for society."
"The bell-ringing ceremony is deeply symbolic in Korea, and I will remember being part of it for the rest of my life."
Joel Jin Nwamadi on July 27 celebrates with his national teammates after winning the gold medal in the men’s 4×100-m relay at this year's FISU World University Games in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region of Germany.
"I hope my experience shows young athletes that consistent effort and perseverance can open unexpected opportunities beyond competition results."
Nwamadi added that he wants to be an athlete who not only sets records and wins medals but also who perseveres and practices professionalism, saying, "My goal is to be a sprinter whom people think of when they think of Korean athletics."
msjeon22@korea.kr
*This article was written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.