This story is taken from the summer 2026 issue of Dazed, which is on sale internationally from June 5. Pre-order a copy of the magazine here.

VIMAL YOGANATHAN, FOOTBALL (20)

When Vimal Yoganathan made his debut at Barnsley in 2023, he became England’s first Tamil footballer to play at senior professional level. Now, the 20-year-old Welsh midfielder has his sights set on the Premier League. 

“I dreaded football at first. My mum had to drag me into the car while I was bawling my eyes out. I didn’t enjoy training, but I did eventually start to enjoy playing matches. I remember my first game: I didn’t have football boots, just trainers that were sliding around everywhere. I stood out when I finally got some boots, and got scouted by Liverpool. Then I signed my first contract when I was nine. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with football. 

“I’m only new to my career, but there have been times when I’ve wanted it to end–my dream to play in the Premier League keeps me going. When I realised I had become the first Tamil footballer to score in the EFL, my immediate thought was to try and get as many goals as I could. It’s cool that I was able to put that on the map, and hopefully I can keep bringing recognition. When I’m not on the pitch, I’ll be playing Fifa at home, or taking my labrador, Manny, to local cafes.”

EMILY COTTY, FORMULA FOUR (16)

Sixteen-year-old Emily Cotty is studying for her A-levels in business, economics and English literature, while driving Formula Four racing cars at speeds of up to 150mph. Ironically, she’s still too young to get her UK driving licence.

“Me and my friends went go-karting for my birthday party one year, which is when I realised I loved the speed and the adrenaline. It was only my ninth birthday, but that’s when I decided I wanted to go into motorsport. Go-karting progressed to racing karts, and from there I went into Formula Four but Formula One is my one and only goal. I’m very competitive. I want to be the best in everything I do. 

“It’s a male-dominated sport, but that doesn’t mean that women can’t get to the top. It’s a sport where women can compete at the highest level and  should be able to do that. When we have our helmets on, it doesn’t make a difference what gender we are. Lewis Hamilton is my motorsport idol because he stands for the right things off track. He’s also a great driver – one of the best of all time – but I think it’s important to have good morals and know what you stand for.”

JORDAN AKI-SAWYERR, TRIPLE JUMP (26)

At university, 26-year-old triple jumper Jordan Aki-Sawyerr was able to diagnose his own congenital ankle disorder. In 2025, he graduated with a master’s in sports biomechanics and is now applying for his PhD – all while training six days a week. 

“My parents grew up in Sierra Leone, and I would always hear stories about how fast they were and all the records they held. I love the triple  jump because it feels like I get to fly. I have quite an active brain, but when I’m jumping it’s an opportunity for me to feel still. I was born with a congenital ankle disorder, which I didn’t know until I [began] studying sports science – essentially, part of my ankle is missing. While the doctors were trying to figure it out, I became obsessed with trying to understand it myself.

“[Sport] became an academic love as well as a physical love. I ended up going to a surgeon with my own diagnosis, which he agreed with. I’m hoping to do a PhD this year in ankle biomechanics, while training for the LA Olympics in 2028. I want to be one of the greatest athletes my country has ever seen, but I also want to connect with the sport healthily and happily.”

MARLI JESSOP, 60M HURDLES SPRINT (22) 

Running always seemed boring to former ballerina Marli Jessop, 22, until she added hurdles. Today, the Hertfordshire-born athlete can clear the 60m hurdles sprint in a little over eight seconds. 

“I’ve always enjoyed being on stage. I did ballet and gymnastics when I was younger, but I was such a shy child–sport was the only time I felt confident. I couldn’t put my hand up to speak in class, but I could dance in front of a hundred people. I used to think athletics was so boring compared to wearing pointe shoes and doing flips–running in a straight line, that’s so lame! I had to throw some hurdles into the mix to make it more entertaining.

“I’m quite short for a hurdler, so people like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone always inspired me. I used to Google everyone’s heights to reassure myself that I could do it too – the six-foot girls can step over the hurdles like it’s nothing. I never wanted to study sport because I didn’t want it to be my whole life, so I did a fine art degree and now painting is the only time I can really switch my brain off. I love painting athletes and combining my two worlds.”

FUNMI ODUWAIYE, SHOT PUT AND DISCUS (23)

Cardiff-born Funmi Oduwaiye, 23, was forced to rethink her goal of becoming a basketball player when surgery left her paralysed in one leg. Now she’s a decorated para-athlete in shot put and discus.

“Me and sport are conjoined twins; it’s always been a part of my life. When I was a teenager I was going to pursue a career in basketball, but unfortunately I had knock knees and needed surgery to correct it, which went wrong. I can’t use my right leg properly any more, but I couldn’t give up on sport. I went into para-athletics, and a couple of years later, I was going to my first major games and then the Paralympics in 2024. 

Things are looking bright, but even now I’ll have moments when I have to pick myself up. I’m still in the grieving stage – going from having a competent body and being physically active my whole life to not being able to do that any more – we underestimate how hard that is. I knew God had a plan for me and now I’m more successful than I ever thought I could be, but I’m still on my way to happiness. My greatest achievement is not allowing the fear and hopelessness to get to me.”

ADAM AZIM, BOXING (23)

British-Pakistani boxer Adam Azim has held the International Boxing Organisation’s super lightweight belt since 2025. Having started out at the age of four throwing punches in his Slough garage, the 23-year-old is widely touted as the future world champion.

“My ADHD was the reason I started boxing. I tried football, I tried cricket, but my ADHD meant I needed something that could drain my energy. I’ve got a hundred things running through my mind at all times, so boxing allows me to focus and channel that into the punching bag. Hitting someone’s face in a fight feels great, too. I started training in my garage when I was four years old, then I started kickboxing, but I never used to kick, I used to punch, so everyone told me I’d make a better boxer.

“Before I go into a fight, I pump myself up by listening to music that makes me angry – I’m always listening to Tupac and Biggie. I want to retire by the time I’m 32; I want to enjoy my life, take my money and rest. I’d like to start a healthy food franchise, spend more time with my wife and with [friends]. I’m not a party guy, so we usually go to the cinema – I love rom-coms.”

FRANCESCA HENNESSY, BOXING (21)

As the daughter of British boxing promoter Mick, Francesca Hennessy was raised in the ring. Nicknamed “the Billion Dollar Baby”, the 21-year-old boxer remains undefeated at the time of writing,with an eight-match winning streak.

“I was very overweight when I was young. My dad and brother were heavily involved in boxing and they encouraged me to come to the gym to get a bit of exercise. I was quite insecure and my parents thought boxing would help me to keep a healthy lifestyle, but I ended up falling in love with it. When I first walked into the boxing gym, I noticed that no one cares where you come from or what you look like. You’re made to feel so welcome and that really brought out a confidence in me. 

“I’m lucky that there were female boxers who paved the way for us girls today – obviously, there is room for improvement, but they really did the hard work. A lot of kids haven’t been as fortunate as me and they need that support. That’s the main thing I want to achieve: helping the next generation. Of course I want to be world champion, but I also want to make an impact outside the ring.”

ETTA CHOI, TAEKWONDO (19)

Northern Irish martial artist Etta Choi, 19, began her career in kick- boxing, winning titles as the World kickboxing champion and best female fighter at the British Open. To get to the Olympics, however, she knew she’d have to switch sports.

“My brother and I began kickboxing as self-defence because we didn’t want to get bullied. With kickboxing there’s only so far you can go, but with taekwondo you can go all the way to the Olympics. I was suddenly travelling to China, Korea and Uzbekistan to train and compete with other people, whereas in kickboxing I was only ever fighting people from Northern Ireland. It felt amazing to become a part of Team GB, like all the training and support from my parents had paid off. 

“Winning silver at the Turkish Open last year was proof I can be the best – even though I fell short of gold, I’m not far from being at the top. I’m doing everything I can to get to the Olympics, but I’m also applying for food courses this year. I would love to open a bakery. I love desserts – making them and eating them. Taekwondo isn’t forever.”

OGHENEGAREN ESIOVWA-THOMPSON, FENCING (16)

Inspired by Power Rangers and wooden-spoon sword fights, Londoner Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson started fencing at the age of five and later became the under-14s national champion. Now aged 16, he is going for gold at LA 2028.

“I used to play with kitchen utensils and pretend I was sword fighting. My mum noticed me doing it and bought me some plastic swords, which I loved. I was always pretending to fight someone, so my mum said, ‘Why not try fencing?’ I watched Power Rangers too – the red one was my favourite – but the way I got into fencing was really through the kitchen. To me, it’s a way to express myself. I love how fast-paced and precise it is. It’s like a chess match – you have to think before every move. It’s the opposite of a rush; it makes me feel calm. 

I’ve won a lot, but I’m always striving for more. My ultimate goal is the Olympics, but I’m also studying for my A-levels in maths, chemistry and biology. I’ve always been interested in medicine, and I thought about being a doctor, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything other than fencing.”

PENNY HEALEY, ARCHERY (21)

Olympian Penny Healey decided to become an archer after watching Disney’s 2012 animated film Brave. Today the 21-year-old is the fifth-best women’s archer in the world and lives at home in Shropshire with her pet emu, Freddie.

“I always wanted to be sporty. I tried them all – rugby, football, horse riding – but I wasn’t any good at those. Then, when I was eight, I watched Brave and thought, ‘I might as well try archery.’ I immediately fell in love with it. I never watched The Hunger Games or The Lord of the Rings, but everyone tells me I should. 

I can’t imagine a life where I don’t shoot; I feel most like myself with a bow and arrow in my hand. Through archery, I’ve become a version of myself that I’ve always wanted to be, confident and outgoing. I was a very anxious kid, but archery brought me out of it. I also think having bright hair makes me more outgoing, and I’m sure younger Penny would think it’s cool. Having normal hair just isn’t me – I loved Alysa Liu’s hair at the Winter Olympics. I wanted halo hair but I can’t do it now! I might dye it rainbow colours for the LA Olympics. We’ll see...”