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World Athlete of the Year, a difficult bridge for Jackson, Fraser-Pryce

Published:Thursday | October 13, 2022 | 12:09 AM
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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (right) has a light moment with teammate Shericka Jackson after the two competed in the women’s 4x100-metre relay at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, back in July.
Gladstone Taylor
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (right) has a light moment with teammate Shericka Jackson after the two competed in the women’s 4x100-metre relay at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, back in July.
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan moments after setting a world record in the semi-finals of the 100-metre hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Gladstone Taylor
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan moments after setting a world record in the semi-finals of the 100-metre hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The United States’ Sydney McLaughlin takes a well-earned breather after breaking her own 100-metre hurdles world record at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, earlier this year.
Gladstone Taylor
The United States’ Sydney McLaughlin takes a well-earned breather after breaking her own 100-metre hurdles world record at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, earlier this year.
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DESPITE RUNNING the second-fastest 200 metres of all time at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, the names on this year’s World Athlete of the Year might make it tough to cop an award for Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson.

Jackson, who has been shortlisted for the honour for the first time, will have Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for company as Jamaicans on the list, but the legendary sprinter will also find the achievements of others on the list tough to usurp.

Fraser-Pryce made the 10-woman strong shortlist after capturing her fifth world 100-metre title at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in July in a championship record 10.67 seconds, and also clocked seven sub-10.7 times this season, including her world-leading 10.62 set in August in Monaco. She has won more World 100m titles than any athlete male or female and won her seventh Diamond League title.

Jackson captured her first individual title at the World Championships, also winning the 200m crown in a championship record 21.45, becoming the second-fastest woman ever at the distance. Jackson also added the 200m Diamond League title to her resume this season. She has now won world championship medals at the 100m, 200m and 400m.

However, the two have to contend with the world-record performances of Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan and the United States’ Sydney McLaughlin.

McLaughlin broke the world record twice this year with her most recent barrier-breaking performance coming in Eugene in 50.68. Amusan shattered the hurdles record in the semi-finals of the championships, clocking 12.12.

The other Caribbean athlete on the list is Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

Miller-Uibo completed the sweep of 400-metre titles earlier this year when she sauntered to World Championship gold in 49.11.

Voting is now open, with the World Athletics Council accounting for 50 per cent of the vote, while the World Athletics Family and public votes will count for 25 per cent each. Fans can vote on social media using any of the World Athletic platforms. Voting closes on October 31 with the field cut down to five finalists. The awards will be presented in December.

Shortlist of nominees for Female Athlete of the Year

Chase Ealy (USA)

Shericka Jackson (JAM)

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM)

Tobi Amusan (NGR)

Yulimar Rojas (VEN)

Sydney McLaughlin (USA)

Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH)

Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR)

Faith Kipyegon (KEN)

Kimberly Garcia (PER)