The Bondi teen surfer targeting Olympic glory for Finland, not Australia
The son of Finnish MasterChef judge Tomi Bjorck has been banned from the kitchen – as 13-year-old Joakim chases surfing stardom for Finland.
He is the son of famous Finnish MasterChef judge Tomi Bjorck, but 13-year-old Bondi resident Joakim isn’t going anywhere near the kitchen.
On his way to represent his birth nation of Finland in surfing, Joakim is one of the best on board in the world for his age group.
His dad had stern words however about following in the footsteps of what made him a world renowned chef.
“When he said he wanted to be a chef I said no,” Tomi told The Daily Telegraph.
“No way. He likes cooking as well but let’s keep that at home. Maybe after surfing.”
Tomi and his family moved to Australia in 2005, where they set up base in Bondi.
He owned popular Blanca restaurant on Hall Street for several years and shut the business down during Covid. Tomi, who gave up Finnish MasterChef two years ago, is still very much part of the hospitality industry and behind multiple restaurants internationally, including Besuto Omakaze at Circular Quay.
Living in Bondi for the majority of his life, Joakim and his coach Rohan Wilcox have their sights set on him competing at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, and hopefully representing Australia.
“He’s actually doing a service to the sport,” Mr Wilcox said.
“Helping grow and broadening the surfing reach, making it a genuine international sport.”
Joakim is this week in Wollongong competing in the Australian Junior Surfing Titles, before he will head to Peru to represent Finland in the ISA Junior World Championships.
Despite his age, Joakim knows he wants to be a superstar.
“That’s the goal, that’s the dream,” Joakim said.
“It’s not the fame, it’s just the passion for surfing.
“Im just excited, it’s a learning curve, being so young and going to under 18s and 16s events.”
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Originally published as The Bondi teen surfer targeting Olympic glory for Finland, not Australia
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