Bona aims to be Para sprinting's Usain Bolt

Ephrem Bona completed another chapter in his remarkable life story by winning a silver medal on

the opening day of Para athletics at the European Para Youth Games in Istanbul.

Just 12 years after the Ethiopian hut he lived in caught fire, leaving him with serious burns that resulted in him requiring a leg amputation, Bona proudly flew an Italian flag at EPYG.

His bronze in the men's T62 100 metres was the first part of a busy weekend. Bona added bronze in the shot put on the final day of action.

But it is as a sprinter that he hopes to excel, citing eight-time Olympic gold medallist and 100m phenomenon Usain Bolt as his sporting hero and having a similar mindset of trying to break world records.

Bona was only two-years-old when disaster struck in Ethiopia, before he was adopted by Sara and Alessio Bona and the prospect of a new life in Bergamo, northern Italy.

Ephrem Bona competing at Enka.

His sporting prowess quickly surfaced, initially excelling as a footballer to such an extent that he represented Italy's amputee soccer team in training matches against other nations.

A supporter of Italian football giants Juventus, along with Alessio, he also enjoyed basketball and swimming, before track and field took centre-stage seven years ago.

"I didn't think I would get to something like these Games as quickly as this, but I hope I am able to do at least another two European Para Youth Games because I am still really young," the 14-year-old said after clocking 14.35seconds in his race.

"I want to beat the T63 Paralympic and world records, and take part in as many Paralympics as possible.

"I am happy to be here in Turkiye, even though I am a little sad that I did not have the best race today."

Bona's fierce drive and determination for success is readily evident, and he has relished being part of a sizeable Italian team at EPYG.

His considerable all-round sporting prowess quickly attracted attention in Italy, but he has opted to focus on Para athletics, with Jamaican superstar Bolt his inspiration.

"In football, I started to play with the amputee team of Italy in training matches against other nations," he added.

"I then started to play basketball and I also enjoyed swimming, and a year after starting swimming I began track and field. There is no doubt that I like speed and fast races.

"I really enjoy being part of the Italy team, and I would like nothing more than to get some results and take them home to Italy whenever I compete."

Bona's story truly is one to inspire, and there are plenty more pages to be written. If anything, this might only be the beginning.

The record-breaking Istanbul 2025 European Para Youth Games officially open on 24 July and run until 27 July. They will feature a record 640 athletes with 1,200 competitors, coaches and team staff from 33 countries, also the biggest ever number, competing in Para archery, Para athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball, Para judo, Para swimming, Para table tennis and Para taekwondo.

Participants will also get to experience the Discovery Programme where they will have the chance to take part in education and experiences in a broad range of topics, including activities designed to immerse the people of Istanbul in EPYG and to get to know Para sport.