Neuff Ambassador Fact File: Emil Friedrich

We're always proud of every ambassador we work with, but there's one particular Neuff athlete who leaves us speechless virtually every time...

...with the above in mind, meet Emil Friedrich!

He's only fifteen, but Emil is a phenomenal teenager who has already accomplished countless astonishing achievements.

Proud of his German heritage, Emil is currently based in Guernsey, a Channel Island with a minuscule population of approximately 63,950. As small as his homeland may be, Emil's idyllic lifestyle on the island has still provided him with the resources and support he needs to keep his British competitors firmly on their toes.

While he will always be completely devoted to his athletics, Emil has plenty of other fascinating interests, some of which you may find difficult to wrap your head around!

Learn more about the extraordinary Emil by reading his Neuff fact file below!

What Inspired You To Get Involved In Athletics?

“My Mum is an ex-European Marathon Runner. She was also an ex-European Champion and Olympian, while my dad was a semi-professional athlete himself. In my entire family, a big part of the culture in everyday life was running, so everyone knew I would be the next Friedrich that would go on to run.

At first, I was just doing it for fun. I then remember quite distinctly the first time I went overseas to compete. I went to the County Championships, and I remember being so excited to be going somewhere for a sport. It took everything out of me, and I went and won! I won a Gold Medal as a younger year U13, and I was just taken by the sport immediately. 

I just loved it. I loved every minute of it. From there on out, I just enjoyed competing. I enjoyed the training, I made so many new friends and met so many new people. It was just everything that I loved about the sport itself.

I even had my first birthday in Spain, because we as a family were at training camp there whilst my Mum was still a professional athlete. She talks all the time about visiting the US and how much she enjoys getting the chance to see the Grand Canyon. She also had the chance to go diving in The Great Barrier Reef! Having all of this around me to experience was a real inspiration.

What Nation Was Your Mother Representing?

“I’m from Germany. My Mum was representing Germany, so we’re all from Germany. We still speak German at home! That’s still my home country and my home language, as well as it is with Guernsey now.”

What Was A Piece Of Advice That You Received That Really Stuck With You?

“If you ever think about giving up, remember why you started.

It’s just like what I was saying about the things that motivated me. Never forget what truly motivates you. Whether it be your future goals or anything else, to just always cling tight to what keeps you going and always remember there is an outcome to all of this.”

How Did It Feel Becoming A National Champion? 

“I can't describe it. I genuinely cannot describe it!

The euphoria is just immense. You just can’t stop yourself from shouting or celebrating, because it’s just those months of hard work, especially indoors where you’ve just been outside in the rain and in the wind, just grinding out these horrible sessions. For all of it to pay off, it’s just something you can’t describe.

To someone who doesn’t do sport, it’s just so hard to describe!”

What Are Your Interests Outside Of Athletics?

“It’s about as extensive as all of the events I do as well!

One thing I’m really big on is computing. I’m really big on programming. I program on Python, HTML & JavaScript.

I also love computer science. I built myself a computer last summer, and then again in the winter. and I’ve also just built my family a home server. These are the kind of things that I love. That being computing and computers as a whole!

I also love photography. Just seeing the world around me and taking pictures of it. I love the feeling of being able to look back on memories visually. You’ll rarely see me out and about without my camera!

Obviously, sport also takes up a lot of my time. Even when you aren’t training, you are doing recovery, and you’re doing mental preparation.

Doing video edits and planning my posting schedules and things like that is also a big pastime of mine.

I also play the piano! I’d played in a band up until last year. I also play a bit of guitar now as well.”

What Cameras Do You Use For Photography?

“I use a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, which was quite a hefty investment!”

How Long Have You Been Doing Piano For?

“So I started when I was like 7 years old. I didn’t practice a whole lot, so I quit doing classical piano about half a year ago, but I still play with my friends now.

I don’t play in an official band, but we play during school breaks and I still play for myself. I like doing a tiny bit of composing as well. I sort of got bored of doing classical work, so I decided to take things down a more modern route. That’s  something that’s been going on for a while, and it’s something that runs in my family. For some reason, all the males in my family seem to play piano, so that’s something that I followed along in as well!”

What Is It Like To Be An Athlete In Guernsey? 

“You’d expect it to be very different, but we’re actually quite lucky over here! 

We have an 8-lane synthetic big blue track. We have discus, two shot put cages and a stand. We have basically all the equipment we need.

We also have three long jump pits and good high jump facilities. We are really quite good when it comes to equipment. It’s more the fact that you are restricted  with choices, because we only have one athletics club on the island. 

In general, life isn’t much different as an athlete here compared to what you might think. Travelling, however, is a big one.

It costs about £1000 to get off the island for one competition with two people. And that’s not even considering when you’d have to start carrying vaulting poles and other things, which we don’t have on the island.

But, other than that, day-to-day life on the island is really quite normal.” 

What Is A Country That You Would Love To Train In Or Visit?

“I’d definitely say Japan. Absolutely Japan!

I’ve always wanted to visit for photography, but I also know that they’re quite enthusiastic about their athletics, so that’d be a dream come true. I love Japanese food as well! I can’t get enough of it. I’d love it. If I just spent 3-4 weeks there on a training camp, I think I’d have the time of my life.”

Interviewers: Destiny Ogali & Jack Henderson

Transcription: Destiny Ogali

Get to know more of the team!

Emil is just one of several athletes that make up Neuff's increasingly popular ambassador team.

Comprising of athletes from all ages, events and backgrounds, our ambassadors are living proof that anything is possible in athletics, and we proudly champion everyone who we welcome on board to our team!

You can find out more about the current Neuff Ambassadors by clicking here.