Joílson da Silva
Brazilian athletics competitor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joílson Bernardo da Silva (born 29 August 1987) is a Brazilian former athlete who specialised in middle and long-distance running events.
29 August 1987
Brazil| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Joílson Bernardo da Silva 29 August 1987 Fortaleza, Brazil |
| Sport | |
| Country | Brazil |
| Sport | Athletics |
Events | Middle & Long-distance running |
A native of Fortaleza, de Silva started training in athletics as a 15-year old on the streets of his local neighbourhood, running bare-foot as he couldn't afford to buy sneakers. Once he was picked up by a state government program he began training on tracks.[1] In 2004 he was the South American Youth Champion in the 3000 metres event. His best result in senior athletics was a third-place finish in the 5000 metres at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, where he edged out Mexico's Juan Carlos Romero by two hundredths of a second to claim the bronze medal.[2]