Fri | May 22, 2026

Stona, Ricketts named RJRGleaner Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year

Published:Friday | January 17, 2025 | 11:02 PM
Roje Stona and Shanieka Ricketts
Roje Stona and Shanieka Ricketts

The pair of Roje Stona and Shanieka Ricketts were crowned winners of the 2024 RJRGleaner National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year this evening at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

The 25-year-old Stona had a stellar year which saw him kick-starting the season with a win, in May, at the LA Grand Prix as he managed to cover the field in a distance of 66.93 metres.

A month later, he had two runners up finish at the New York City Grand Prix then at the National Championships, punching his ticket to the Paris Olympics.

It was at the Olympics Games his crowning moment arrived.

Stona produced a lifetime best throw of 70 metres to win the country's first goal medal in the event.

Stona's 2024 performance also saw him winning the People's Choice Award.

Shanieka Ricketts was also in sublime form as she won her sixth national championships with a leap of 14.50 m.

Ricketts then followed up that performance with a runner up finish at the Diamond League event in Belgium in a distance of 14.22m.

At the Paris Olympic, her crowning moment also came as she leap to a season's best distance of 14.87m to take the silver medal.

Ricketts ended the year ranked number three in the world.

Orane.Buchanan@gleanerjm.com

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