Jakob

About me

My name is Jakob Šramel, I am 16 years old and a sprinter from Šmarje pri Koper, Slovenia. I began my athletics journey three years ago after trying several other sports, but sprinting quickly became my true passion.

I initially trained under coach Klavdij Frankovič, who helped me develop fundamental techniques and a strong understanding of the sport. Currently, I train with coach Boštjan Šimunič, whose guidance and expertise continue to push me toward greater achievements. Alongside my training in Slovenia with AK Koper, I also have the incredible opportunity to train with the team of Lamont Marcell Jacobs, the Olympic champion from Tokyo, in Italy. Lamont invited me to join his club, which I accepted with the permission of the Slovenian Athletics Federation. There, I work with his first coach Gianni Lombardi and physiotherapist Matteo Bonori, gaining access to world-class training methods and support.

Over the past few years, I have achieved significant success, including multiple national championships and a national U16 record in the 4x300m relay with the Slovenian national team. On July 5th, 2025, I became the National Champion at the Libertas meet in Italy, which was a major milestone in my career.

My current personal bests 2025- are 10.83 seconds in the 100m and 22.11 seconds in the 200m (with a -1.2 m/s wind). During my 200m personal best, I pushed through fatigue in the final meters and believe I can go even faster with more experience and training.
2026- indoor 200m- 21.96
60m indoor 6.96

Despite an injury earlier this season, I have worked hard with my team of physiotherapists and coaches to recover fully and continue improving. I regularly compete in older age categories to challenge myself and accelerate my development.

My short-term goal is to prepare my body to safely reach higher speeds and better performances over the next two years, aiming to qualify for major U18 international competitions in 2026- I already got qualifications standard for 100m and 200m EU Champions U18.
My long-term ambitions include representing Slovenia at European and World Championships, and eventually competing at the Olympic Games.

Outside of athletics, I enjoy music, reading, movies, and spending time with family and friends. I am grateful for the support of my coaches, teammates, and the broader athletics community, which motivates me to strive for excellence.

I am committed to working hard, staying disciplined, and continuously improving, and I believe that with the right support and mindset, I can achieve great success in sprinting on the international stage.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

Jakob Šramel