Joseph Chosen: The 12-year-old who finished 22nd in Amstel Malta Marathon 

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In life, there are a lot of historical moments that we achieve as humans. But on Saturday, October 1st, 2022, history was made as a 12-year-old boy, whose name is Joseph Chosen, became the youngest athlete to ever participate in a marathon race.

It was a great moment for all the fans watching the one day sports event, when a 12-year old ran down the tunnel to the surprise of spectators who were present at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium to witness a kid make history as the youngest to participate in the 20km Marathon Race in Enugu. 

Joseph Chosen, in a chat with the journalists after he finished in 22nd position in the race, said that his father told him to participate in the marathon.

“My dad always said to me that football will not take me to places, but athletics will,” Joseph said.

“So, he told me to keep on practicing on marathon, and that made me participate in this 20km marathon race,” the 12-year-old kid added.

It would be on record that this was the first time ever, in the history of any track and field events, to see a young kid taking part in a long race (20km) marathon race. 

Joseph chosen, who was the limelight of the marathon race, is expected to continue working and dream for a better future in athletic, but also hope that the Enugu State Government will make his dreams come to reality.

In the other event at the 20km marathon race, 2022 Coal City Marathon, Chinecherem Kingsley Onyia emerged the male winner of the Amstel Malta 20km Marathon Race. He finished in a time of 1.09.04 while Affigbo Esther won the female category. Okechukwu Donatus and Kelechi came second and third respectively in the male category while Helen Mamman finished second in the female category.

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