Sports

A lesson on Never Giving up: New Zealand’s Emma…

“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.” – William James Born in 1987, Emma Twigg is a New Zealand rower. From a young age, Twigg was an athletically gifted child but only began rowing at the age of 14 after her father encouraged her to ...

South Africa’s Swimming Champion Tatjana Schoenmaker Sets Historic New…

““If you can’t outplay them, outwork them.” – Ben Hogan” Early life  24-year-old Tatjana Schoenmaker from Johannesburg, South Africa is a professional swimmer who specializes in breaststroke events. She began swimming at the very young age of 5 and by the time she was 8 she was already competing. It was her parents who recognized ...

Matea Jelic’s Historic Victory: Wins Croatia’s First Taekwondo Gold…

“Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” – Vince Lombardi Early life Born in 1997, Matea Jelic is a Croatian taekwondo athlete who competes in the 67kg weight category. She began the sport in primary school encouraged by her parents and her interest in pursuing it seriously became quickly obvious. As she puts it, ...

21-Year-Old World-Record Holder: Kristof Milak Wins Hungary’s First Gold…

“The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory.” – Les Brown 21-year-old Kristof Milak is a Hungarian professional swimmer who specializes in butterfly stroke. He began swimming at a young age as his family home had a pool in it.  Achievements He made his international debut at the 2017 World Aquatic Championships at the age ...

Australia’s Canoeing Legend Jessica Fox Wins Gold at the…

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. –Michael Jordan“ Born in 1994, French-born Jessica Fox is a professional slalom canoeist who has presented Australia internationally. Daughter of two Olympians, her father, ...

18-Year-Old Swimming Maestro Ahmed Hafnaoui Wins Tunisia’s First Medal…

Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.  – Muhammad Ali Born in the year 2002 in Gafsa, Tunisia, Ahmed Hafnaoui is a professional swimmer who specializes in freestyle events. Hafnaoui was only 12-year-old when he joined the country’s national ...

From Circus School to Weightlifting Champion: Maude Charron’s Unique…

Born in 1993, Quebec, Canada, Maude Charron is a Canadian weightlifter who competes in the 63/64 kg category. Her journey of reaching the Olympics is very unique. As a child, Charron was never quite interested in weightlifting but instead was a gifted young gymnast. As a teenager, she began attending the École de Cirque de ...

21-Year-Old Child Prodigy Thomas Pidcock Wins Gold in his…

“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.”  – Arnold Palmer Born in the year 1999 in Leeds, UK, Thomas Pidcock is a British cyclist, who currently competes in the cyclo-cross, mountain bike and road bicycle racing disciplines of the sport for UCI WorldTeam Ineos Grenadiers. With both parents keen cyclists, Tom ...

Kosovo’s Distria Krasniqi wins historic gold in Tokyo, marking…

“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”  – Derek Jeter 25-year-old Distria Krasniqi is a professional judo player from the small Balkan country of Kosovo. She began judo classes at the young of seven with her older brother. She made her ...

Injury to Glory: Cross-Country Cyclist and Olympic Gold-Medallist Jolanda…

“Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t pretend that you do and, and some point, you will.” —Venus Williams Born in 1993, Jolanda Neff is a multi-discipline professional cyclist from Switzerland who specializes in mountain biking but also competes at a world-class level in road racing and cyclo-cross for Trek Factory Racing. Coming from ...

French Judo Legend Clarisse Agbegnenou’s Ground-Breaking Journey: from Being…

  “You must not only have competitiveness but ability, regardless of the circumstance you face, to never quit.” -—Abby Wambach 28-year-old Clarisse Agbegnenou is a French judoka and one of the most decorated judo athletes in the world. She was born 2 months premature alongside her twin brother and declared ‘medically dead’ for several minutes before ...

20- Year Old Swimming Marvel Ariarne Titmus Wins Two…

It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters. -Paul “Bear” Bryant Born in the year 2000 in Tasmania, Australia, Ariarne Titmus is a professional swimmer who specializes in freestyle stroke. She began swimming in school at the age of 7 and has pursued it ...