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Olympic sprinters are short on time, but Eugene Amo-Dazi insists he doesn’t worry about the clock.
The 31-year-old, who claims to be the world’s fastest accountant, is hoping to join Team GB’s star squad heading to Paris, despite having only taken running seriously since he was 26.
While his rivals chase PRs and podiums, 100m star Amo Daji has other priorities, but still pushes himself to match the best.
“That’s one of the things I want to shout about,” he said. “I consider myself a civilian, a normal person. I worked a 9-to-5 job for years, but I stepped into the world of elite sport.
“I have a daughter and another baby on the way, and I hope they will be proud to talk about their father, who is not only a CPA, but also an athlete.
“It can be tough at times, but it also gives you a competitive advantage in the sense that when you’re on the starting line, you’re not really concerned about the outcome of the race in terms of putting food on the table. The players are in this predicament.
“Working and being an athlete at the same time is something I’m very proud of and I feel it gives me an edge over my opponents.”
Amo Daji narrowly misses out on a medal in the World Championship relay
(Getty Images)
Amo Daji, who beat Olympic champion Marcel Jacobs in the world individual 100m semi-finals and came within 0.02 seconds of a world 4x100m relay medal, now has strong evidence to back up his claim.
While many of his competitors have dedicated their lives to Olympic glory, rising from junior competition to the world stage, Amo Daji has no such worries about fatigue.
“I started competing when I was 26, and the wear and tear on my body is probably more like that of an 18- or 19-year-old athlete than a 31-year-old athlete,” said Amo Daji, who works for a Berkeley subsidiary. St. George PLC Group.
“There are so many other hurdles in life, so why add another one by telling yourself you’re too old and it’s already too late?
“Go out and chase it and surround yourself with people who can help you on that journey. There’s no harm in trying.”
Amo Daji is certainly doing his best and is in the safety of sprint coach Steve Fudge, whose former mentors include the likes of Jonny Peacock and Adam Gemili.
And thanks to support from The National Lottery, Amo-Dadzie has a better balance between spreadsheets and quick work.
Amo Daji (left) is targeting the Olympics
(Getty Images)
“The impact the National Lottery had on me was really huge,” Amo Daji said. He is one of more than 1,000 elite athletes to take part in the World Class Program, funded by British Sport’s National Lottery, allowing him to train and access the sport full-time. He will benefit from the world’s best coaches and pioneering medical support.
“I used to pay for coaches, nutrition and kit out of my own salary. Now I have the mental space to train more. In an Olympic year, I spend time with my coach. Time is all about gold dust, so the support of National Lottery players has been huge.
“The biggest thing for me is to fly the flag for people who feel like it’s too late to pursue something. At the end of the year, if I can inspire people in that way, ,i am happy.”
National Lottery players, from the grassroots to the elite, raise more than £30 million every week for good causes, including vital funds for sport. See below how your numbers can do wonders. www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk #TNLAthletes #MakeAmazingHappen