A Personal Best, A Promising Performance and a Journey Just Beginning
At just 16, Pema Yoezer from Trashigang is preparing to represent Bhutan at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, marking a significant milestone in his young sporting journey. A student of Dechenchholing Higher Secondary School, Pema is stepping onto the international sporting stage after only six months in athletics, carrying with him a strong determination to improve, learn, and make his country proud.
Pema’s journey into athletics began when a teacher encouraged him to try running. What started as a simple suggestion soon developed into a passion, strengthened by watching senior athletes dedicate themselves to the sport. Inspired by their commitment and the discipline of American endurance athlete David Goggins, Pema has embraced the importance of mental toughness, consistency, and pushing beyond perceived limits.
For the young athlete, progress is not measured by medals alone. Every second improved, every training session completed, and every challenge overcome represents an achievement. This belief has shaped his approach to athletics, reminding him that meaningful progress comes through patience, perseverance and a willingness to keep learning.
The opportunity to represent Bhutan at the Youth Olympic Games has brought Pema immense happiness, pride and gratitude. Wearing the national colours is both an honour and a responsibility, motivating him to work harder and give his best on the international stage.
Preparing for the Games has required commitment and discipline. Pema trains in the morning and evening while balancing his academic responsibilities, a routine that has sometimes left him physically tired and challenged his confidence. However, through effective time management and consistent effort, he continues to work towards his goals, learning to overcome setbacks and remain focused on his development.
Photo Credit: OIS/Jonathan Nackstrand. Handout image supplied by OIS/IOC
At the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Pema competed in the Men’s 3000m Final, finishing 11th among 12 athletes. Beyond the placing, he reached a significant milestone: a time of 9:33.73, setting a new personal best and improving on his previous record of 9:40, set in Bhutan. For a young athlete competing on the international stage, the result marked meaningful progress and a valuable measure of how far he has come.
The experience in Dakar gave Pema the opportunity to test himself against promising young athletes from around the world, learn from international competition, and take another step in his development. There is still a long road ahead, with plenty of room to improve and new goals to pursue. His personal best is both an achievement to celebrate and a foundation for the work still to come.
Pema hopes to compete at higher levels, continue bringing pride to Bhutan and carry the discipline and resilience he has developed in sport into the rest of his life. He also encourages other young people to believe in themselves, stay committed, and take the first step toward their goals.
Although Dakar marked Pema’s first major international competition, he took to the track with confidence and a willingness to learn. As he had said before the Games, “It may be my first race, but I’m not running for the first time”—a reflection of his trust in the training that prepared him for the challenge.
A new personal best today, greater milestones to chase tomorrow. Pema Yoezer’s journey in athletics is only beginning, and his performance in Dakar is one more stride toward the promising future he is working to build.
Pema’s journey also carries a message for other young people in Bhutan who aspire to pursue sport. He encourages aspiring athletes to believe in themselves, remain disciplined, and persevere in the face of challenges. His own experience demonstrates that a lack of experience should not prevent young people from taking the first step towards their dreams.
While his journey in athletics has only just begun, his determination and commitment reflect the spirit of a young athlete ready to embrace new challenges. For Pema, the Games are more than a competition; they are an opportunity to grow, represent his country with pride, and take the first steps towards a promising future in athletics.
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