The Jewish Link and The Humble Toast would like to recognize Nathaniel Samson as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. Nathaniel Samson is entering seventh grade at Sinai-SAR Academy in the Bronx. Nathaniel is one of, if not the most, decorated youth racewalker—ever. He currently holds numerous national titles, as well as many meet, local, regional and track records for several age groups. He has received many accolades and much support from both the AAU and USATF (Track & Field) communities in years past for his esoteric sport, racewalk. This past summer he earned his second USATF Junior Olympic title in the 1500m racewalk as well as his fourth (yes, fourth) Junior Olympic title for 1500m boys racewalk for AAU. Nathaniel was also honored this summer as USATF-NY Youth Boy Racewalker of the Year for the second time in a row.
Nathaniel, congrats on being recognized as this week’s Sportstar of the Week! Who is your role model and why?
My Saba because he is very supportive. He used to take me for very very long walks when I was little.
What is your favorite sport?
Track and field in the winter and summer; Football in the fall. I love the action on the field and learning plays. There aren’t any teams in Riverdale that play on Sundays. Let me know if you hear of any. I can throw the football very far. Throwing a football is similar to throwing a javelin in track. I am also good at javelin.
What is your pregame routine?
Listening to the theme song from “Rocky.”
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
It’s a tie between winning my fourth Junior Olympic gold medal in a row and breaking the facility record at the Ocean Breeze track on Staten Island.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Tom Brady because he is the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time).
What is your earliest sports memory?
Throwing my football into the basketball hoop in Seton Park.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
Putting in bids and checking prices on eBay for various items.
What is the weirdest sports-related thing that you have seen?
I once saw a lady ask an athlete to autograph her kid.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Me catching a foul ball at a Yankees game.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
The perks—traveling and missing school.
The Humble Toast Sportstar of the week will receive a $25 gift card to The Humble Toast. Please send nominees for an upcoming The Humble Toast Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
