May 12, 2014
Fatima Dedrickson is a Swedish born, Congo-African, BYU grad who, after having a baby in 2013, took third place in February 2014 in the Swedish Nationals and setting a personal record of 8.47 in hurdles.
She was team captain of the women’s track team during her years at BYU, and thanks to her supportive husband, Benjamin, she was back training for competitions a month after her son Noah was born.
He said I had talent given from God and I’d put in so much work,” says Dedrickson. “If he hadn’t been so supportive, I never could have done it.”
In pursuing her passion Dedrickson has not lost sight on what is most important. On motherhood she said,
Being a mommy has truly been such a blessing in our little family, it is the BEST but also the HARDEST calling I have gotten so far.
In her home country of Sweden Dedrickson has seen blessings of faithful church attendance and in keeping the Sabbath day holy. Sweden is home to less then 10,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and most meets and practices take place on Sunday. But Dedrickson remained firm in her commitment to keep the Sabbath Day holy and her coach changed her schedule so she wouldn’t have to train on Sundays.
“It’s been perfect,” says Dedrickson. “Things have really worked out as they’re supposed to.”
What’s coming up next for Momma Dedrickson? In just a couple of weeks she will be back in Sweden to compete in the European Athletics Championship.
