Latest news with #Namadi
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From 'Goat Boy' to Gold Medalist: Korean Relay Star Inspired by 'Descendants of the Sun' Actors
From TV Cameo to Track Superstar Remember the charming kid who asked for a goat in the immensely popular 2016 Korean drama " Descendants of the Sun ," featuring stars Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, and Jin Goo? That was Namadi Joeljin , born in 2006 to a Nigerian national long jumper father and Korean mother. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While his role as the "goat boy" in the fictional town of Uruk was brief, his real-life journey outpaced many-discovering running in 5th grade and rapidly rising through Korea's athletic ranks. His story, blending the innocence of a TV role and the dedication of an athlete, captivated fans and laid the groundwork for a spectacular sporting career. Having grown up balancing two cultures, Namadi's journey reflects resilience and a rising global spirit. Making History: Korea's First 400m Relay Gold At the Summer World University Games in Germany on July 27, 2025, Joeljin teamed with Minjoon Seo, Jaeseong Lee, and Jungyoon Kim to clinch Korea's first-ever global gold medal in the men's 400m relay with a blistering 38.50 seconds. The Korea Association of Athletics Federations (KAAF) acknowledges this as a new landmark record for Korea. Earlier in May, the same team won the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi with a record-smashing time of 38.49 seconds-confirming their status as Asia's rising sprint powerhouse. These victories didn't just add medals to Korea's tally; they changed perceptions, inspiring young athletes across the country to dream bigger in athletics, a field long dominated by other nations. The team's synchronization and explosive speed demonstrated the potential of Korean sprinting on the global stage. A Bicultural Champion Breaking Boundaries Namadi's unique heritage-Nigerian athleticism from his father and Korean determination from his mother-fuels his sprinting prowess. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officially, he set the Korean high school 100m record at 10.30 seconds in 2024, among Asia's best young sprinters. His success story is an inspiring symbol of multiculturalism blossoming in Korean sports. In a society where mixed heritage athletes sometimes face challenges, Namadi's rise delivers a hopeful message, showing how diverse backgrounds can become powerful assets. His disciplined training and cultural fusion highlight a new era for Korean athletics , promoting inclusivity and excellence. Dreaming of Olympic Glory Returning from international triumph, Namadi said, "I love being the second runner-it's my chance to surprise everyone." His ultimate ambition is to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m dash, a feat that would open the doors to the Olympics and possibly earn him the nickname "Usain Bolt of the Han River." His mix of humility and fierce determination continues to inspire many young athletes. Beyond the track, Namadi actively shares his story, encouraging youth to embrace their heritage and pursue dreams against all odds. He believes that sports can unite cultures and inspire positive change. About "Descendants of the Sun" "Descendants of the Sun" (2016) is a romantic military drama set in the fictional land of Uruk that took Asia by storm. Stars include Song Joong-ki (Captain Yoo Si-jin), Song Hye-kyo (Dr. Kang Mo-yeon), and Jin Goo (Sergeant Seo Dae-young). The drama's global success inspired countless youth, including up-and-coming athletes like Namadi Joeljin. It highlighted courage, love, and sacrifice-values Namadi echoes in his athletic journey today.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trumpets, guns, horses: northern Nigeria's Durbar ends Ramadan in style
Veiled women ululated as the blare of trumpets and booms of hunting guns filled the air, heralding the approach of the emir in a huge procession of horseback riders draped in colourful robes and turbans. Durbar, a festivities-filled procession held each Eid, saw Emir Hameem Nuhu Sunusi, of the Jigawa state capital Dutse, ride through his city as traditional leaders across the rest of Nigeria's Muslim-majority north did the same. In Dutse -- also the capital of the Dutse emirate -- the UNESCO-recognised fete had residents dressed to the nines as they lined the streets, raising clenched fists in homage to the emir amid drumming, singing and dancing by royal troupes and thousands of horsemen. Drenched in sweat, the troupes Monday danced to the drums in a frenzy, while royal guards dressed in their hallmark robes of red and green flanked the emir, seated on a white stallion under a blue parasol to shield him from the scorching west African sun. On Tuesday, the festivities marking the end of the austerity of Ramadan continue, with the emir making a tour of the city to meet residents. Durbar "spices up the Eid celebrations," spectator Awwal Adamu, a 27-year-old undergraduate said, one of the thousands in the throng. It also showcases Nigeria's rich cultural heritage -- often overshadowed by the north's myriad armed conflicts, Emir Sunusi told AFP afterwards in his palace. - Airing of grievances - Durbar takes place twice a year, on the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays celebrated worldwide in the Islamic calendar. The festival dates back to the 15th century, originating in Kano, the north's largest city. But this year, Sunusi stole the show from Kano, which cancelled its Durbar for the second time in a row due to a legal tussle between two rival royals contesting the emir's throne. Nigeria's traditional rulers have no constitutional powers but are important cultural custodians, wielding enormous influence that is crucial for politicians wishing to win election to the country's secular federal government. Monday's procession culminated with the governor, Umar Namadi, receiving the emir and his entourage outside his office -- as daring young men perched on gnarled boughs of baobab trees overlooking the pavilion to watch. Seated next to Namadi, Sunusi received homage from his 26 district heads, who took turns to greet the monarch by squatting on all fours in royal obeisance. Each contingent of the procession led by the district heads "has its own different system of decoration for the horses and the horse riders," Wada Alhaji, the chief of staff to the emir, told AFP. "The different displays showcase the rich diversity within the emirate." Durbar is not just a cultural festival -- it is also an avenue for the emir to lodge his people's complaints to the government. The emir told Namadi about the menace of erosion and flooding affecting some areas in the emirate, and the people's call on the government to expedite work on a new police training college. - Pride of the north - Dutse resident Khadija Ibrahim called the Durbar "the most interesting part of the Eid festivity". "I can't imagine the Eid without the Durbar," said the 45-year old-mother of eight. The event, which draws onlookers and well-wishers from across Nigeria, as well as foreign tourists, "is part of the things we are proud of", Emir Sunusi told AFP. "In lots of places when you talk about Nigeria, it is negative things that come to mind," the 46-year-old monarch said. "I feel we are not judged fairly." Sunusi said he hopes the Durbar can change the negative perception of Nigeria abroad and help attract more tourists who would be able to see the "good people, peace-loving, honest people" of the country's north, where the rural hinterlands have been beset by years of armed conflict. Durbar, added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage, tells a fuller, more complex story of the north. "Once UNESCO recognises you it means you will be known all across the world," Sunusi said. "This will help us a lot in making other people know us more." abu/nro/kjm
