Nineteen-year-old Joel Jin Nwamadi is a Korean sprinter specializing in the 100m and the 4x100m relay. He recently began his senior career and currently represents Korea in international competitions. Joel is focused on continuous improvement and growth as an athlete, steadily making a name for himself on the global track and field stage.
He has been selected as one of the bell ringers for Seoul’s 2026 New Year’s Eve celebration. The event will take place on Dec 31, 2025, at the historic Bosingak Pavilion in Jongno District, Seoul, a landmark famous for its large bronze bell that has rung in the New Year for centuries. Known for his outstanding performances on the track, Joel will join a group of notable public figures in ringing the bell at midnight, a tradition symbolizing hope, renewal, and unity for the city as it welcomes 2026.
Reflecting on his path in athletics, Joel shared how his professional aspirations began. "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 seriously as a professional career was what I wanted to do,” said in an email interview on Dec 19-24.
When discussing his daily training schedule, 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." Speaking about what he enjoys most as an athlete, he shared that the greatest joy is seeing the results of hard work turn into performance on the track. "Representing my country and team gives me a strong sense of pride and responsibility," he said.
When asked why he thought he was chosen to participate in this New Year’s Eve tradition, he said, "I believe this honor reflects not only my recent athletic achievements but also the message of hope and possibility that sports can give to society." "It is meaningful to be recognized as a young athlete who represents the future," he added. He then opened up about the impact of being included in this long-standing New Year’s Eve tradition. "It is a great honor. The bell-ringing ceremony is deeply symbolic in Korea, and being part of it is something I will remember for the rest of my life."
On whether this experience could motivate the next generation of athletes, he explained, "I hope my experience shows young athletes that consistent effort and perseverance can open unexpected opportunities beyond competition results."
On the kind of athlete he wants to grow into he said that he wants to become an athlete who is remembered not only for records and medals, but also for perseverance and professionalism. "My goal is to be a sprinter that people think of when they think of Korean athletics."
With his commitment to athletics and his recent honor as a bell ringer, Joel continues to inspire others while building a promising future in track and field.
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