Bad Grades to a Speedy Champion
Tom Hunter shook the world of sprinting at age 25. He quickly went from a scruffy-haired kid with bad grades to a champion sprinter known for legendary speed and nick-named ‘The Human Cheetah’.
A Slow Beginning
Tom began his journey in a countryside village where he often raced through the fields. His parents had noticed this and his father says: ‘I wish I could have run alongside my son.’ However, he never asked because of the same reason he and his wife couldn’t help Tom with school: Tom’s younger siblings needed them.
Therefore, Tom had to run alone, racing through fields early in the morning while still managing family life and crawling through school.
The Track of Success
Soon, he started his professional journey by meeting his coach. One summer day, Max Foots noticed a 13-year-old Tom racing through the fields and invited him to a nearby race track. Tom showed incredible speed and Max Foots suggested he enter a race. Tom Hunter recalls racing home and jumping in excitement when his parents said he could enter.
Training was hard but Tom kept pushing and his desire to become a professional sprinter grew stronger as he grew faster.
Race day soon arrived and Tom won, staying ahead of the other competitors for the entire race. He had never felt so alive. Despite the medal stopping the teasing at school, the only joy that Tom got was from the thrill of racing and the power he could feel coursing through his body.
The Human Cheetah
Today, Tom holds many medals, multiple Olympic victories, and unbroken speed records in the 100 and 200 metre sprints. His speed appears to have no limits, earning him the title of ‘The Human Cheetah’. Due to this, many assume he races for victory and prizes. However, he keeps racing purely for the joy it brings him.
Off the track, Tom regularly visits schools to deliver a message: ‘No matter what, keep pushing to do what you are most passionate about.’
A Future of Speed Ahead
As he looks to many races ahead, Tom trains persistently and often jokes that he’ll be racing at the age of 100.
The inspiring tale of Tom Hunter is one of passion and shows that you should follow your heart even if people judge you poorly.