BALANCING school books and sprint spikes, Adaora Nnaemeka is already learning how to live like a top-class athlete – and at just 15, the Bandon AC star is sprinting into the spotlight.

The teenager was a popular winner of the 2025 West Cork Sports Star Paudie Palmer Youth Award, accepting her trophy to warm applause from a packed Celtic Ross Hotel.

Coming off an outstanding year on the track, Nnaemeka took time to acknowledge the legacy behind the prestigious award.

‘I’m really appreciative to receive this because Paudie Palmer was a teacher at my school in St Brogan’s,’ she told The Southern Star.

‘So, I’m really happy to accept this award in his honour. I never expected to win something like this, and I feel very grateful.

‘I like to stay humble. Being humble is important because everyone has different opportunities, and winning this shows how hard I have worked to get here.’

Award winner Adaora Nnaemeka. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

A third-year secondary school student preparing for her Junior Cert, Nnaemeka is navigating a demanding schedule. But the All-Ireland schools’ 100m gold and 200m silver medallist is taking it all in her stride.

‘There is a lot going on right now, but I feel like I’m handling things,’ she said.

‘I’ll be sitting my pre-exams in a few weeks, and then the Junior Cert, so I’m juggling sport and studying. I think I’m finding the right balance.

‘I’m good at making study planners, so I can plan out my days and still make time for training.’

A typical week highlights just how busy life is right now, both on and off the track.

‘On Mondays, I start with strength and conditioning in the gym,’ the Bandon AC sprinter explained.

‘Tuesday is a rest day, and that’s when I get most of my homework done. Wednesday is track work – lots of 100m and 200m running.

‘Thursday is another rest day, then back to the gym on Friday. On Saturday, I catch up on homework from earlier in the week, and on Sunday it’s back to the track for more one hundreds and two hundreds.

‘It’s intense, but I really enjoy it. I want to do this, and having that level of training helps me push myself.’

The months ahead will test that balance further, with national competitions clashing with exam commitments.

Paudie Palmer Youth Award winner Adaora Nnaemeka and Nicola Tuthill, 2025 West Cork Sport Star of the Year, at the awards night. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

‘The indoor championships are first, in February, which is when I’ll have my pre-exams,’ Nnaemeka added.

‘Then during the summer season in June and July, I’ll be sitting my Junior Cert. It will be hard, I know, but I think it’ll be grand!’ she laughed.

While she began her athletics journey focused on the 100m, Nnaemeka has started to make her mark over 200m under the careful guidance of her coach.

So, does she have a preference?

‘Right now, I just want to run the 100m and 200m,’ she said.

‘I’m still fairly new to the 200m, but my coach Liz Coomey tells me I’m really good at that distance, so I’m going to stick with it. The 100m is probably still my favourite because I’ve been doing it for so long.

‘Liz is such a great coach. She’s always helping me refine my technique and introducing new things in the gym and on the track. We have a specific training plan, and it’s about balance so I don’t get too muscly. I’m strong enough now to develop good technique.’

Family support has also played a crucial role in her rapid rise.

‘I’m very grateful to my brothers – Chidderaa, Macdouglas, Amaechi and Iruka – as well as my siblings, my friends, and my parents.

‘My mom and dad, Onyekachi and Douglas, drive me to training and competitions. Without them, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.’