Jason
Joseph

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When I was 11 years old, my teacher discovered my athletic talent at our primary school Sports Day just by chance. These days, little is left to chance. Almost everything is planned. It has to be. Although I’m already counted among the world-class hurdle sprinters in the under-20 juniors, my climb to the very top of the hurdling sprint elite won’t come without hard work. That’s why I train 7 to 8 times a week for 12 to 14 hours.

Weekends are often taken up by competitions. It doesn’t leave much time for going out, but I don’t mind. I can always find a moment to relax and enjoy the warm sun in our training camps in Greece, Portugal or South Africa, even when it might still be cold in Switzerland. I always try to be better today than I was yesterday.

I feel at ease in my Jordan sneakers and in the company of my friends. Respect, manners, and decency – these values are important to me, as are my roots and what I draw from my unique background – Swiss discipline infused with the laid-back patience of the Caribbean.
My patience is more reserved for others than for myself since my sport demands discipline: my full physical, mental and intellectual presence. During the competition season, I eat healthy meat and vegetables and I avoid sugar. Fast food burgers can wait until after the season ends.

OccasionalIy, I give myself over to daydreaming about the world of YouTubers, about the dog I’d love to have, about days without anything to do but lie in bed and sleep whenever I want, eat whatever I want.

Then I come back to real life and all I love about it: my sport, my parents, who are both family and part of my support team,  outdoors adventures with my best buddy, my duties as a trainer at the Athletics Club Therwil, my interest in following the careers of actor Will Smith, boxing World and Olympic Champion Anthony Joshua as well as World and Olympic Champion Usain Bolt – the champion who did it without hurdles.