At only 16 years old, Joshua Daniel Bernal has become an example of discipline and effort for young athletes. At the 1st National Youth Games, Joshua’s talent and dedication shone in the Pereira Menor Coliseum, where, with a shout of emotion, he demonstrated that his dream of representing Santander is within his reach.
Since he was little, Joshua was encouraged by his parents, Jorge Bernal and Adriana María Fontecha, to practice sports, starting in disciplines such as tennis, soccer and swimming. However, in 2018 he discovered badminton, a discipline that quickly won his heart and in which he has proven to have a natural talent. His participation in these games has been outstanding, with precise movements and a refined technique that reflects years of effort. Now he is part of the national under-17 badminton team and seeks to perfect his game in tournaments like this, showing that he is prepared for great challenges.
“It is in these tournaments where we show what we are capable of doing,” says Joshua, who prefers to focus on the present and not rush to think about the future. His coach, Manuel Eduardo Vargas, former badminton player and trainer of young talents in Santander, highlights Joshua’s commitment and maturity. “He is a very dedicated young man, the first to arrive and the last to leave. He and his family are a great example of effort and discipline,” says Vargas.
Joshua has faced great challenges along the way, such as overcoming high-level rivals in Santander, and his determination has led him to stand out as one of the great promises of badminton in the region. Today, his talent is a clear example that with effort and perseverance, dreams come true.
