Joílson Bernardo da Silva (born 29 August 1987) is a Brazilian former athlete who specialised in middle and long-distance running events.

Joílson da Silva
Personal information
Birth nameJoílson Bernardo da Silva
Born (1987-08-29) 29 August 1987 (age 37)
Fortaleza, Brazil
Sport
Country Brazil
SportAthletics
EventMiddle & Long-distance running
Medal record
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Guadalajara 5000 m
South American Games
Silver medal – second place 2014 Santiago 5000 m

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]

References

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  1. ^ "Joílson: descalço em Fortaleza, mas com bronze em Guadalajara". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 27 October 2011.
  2. ^ "Cearense Joilson Silva é bronze nos 5.000m - Jogada". Diário do Nordeste (in Brazilian Portuguese). 25 October 2011.
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