Joílson Bernardo da Silva (born 29 August 1987) is a Brazilian former athlete who specialised in middle and long-distance running events.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Joílson Bernardo da Silva |
| Born | 29 August 1987 Fortaleza, Brazil |
| Sport | |
| Country |  Brazil |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event | 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]
References
edit- ^ "Joílson: descalço em Fortaleza, mas com bronze em Guadalajara". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 27 October 2011.
- ^ "Cearense Joilson Silva é bronze nos 5.000m - Jogada". Diário do Nordeste (in Brazilian Portuguese). 25 October 2011.