Jackson, Watson favourites for top RJRGLEANER Sports awards

World champions Shericka Jackson and Antonio Watson are set to lead a talented list of nominees for tonight’s grand prizes at the 63rd RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kington.

Jackson is the frontrunner for the Sportswoman of the Year award after her terrific showing on the track last year. Jackson capped off an impressive 2023 season by winning gold in the women’s 200 metres final at the 2023 Budapest World Championships in 21.41 seconds – the second-fastest time ever run. Along with her 200m gold medal, Jackson also bagged silver medals in the 100m and the 4x100m at the championships.

These accolades, along with claiming the Diamond League trophies in both the women’s 100m and 200m, place Jackson as a strong contender to claim the Sportswoman of the Year award.

Another standout nominee is sprint hurdler Danielle Williams, who, like Jackson, also enjoyed an impressive 2023 season. Williams saw off the challenges of rivals Tobi Amusan, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn and Kendra Harrison to win the women’s 100m hurdles title at the World Championships in 12.43 seconds.

The final competition is set to be fierce as other nominees include five-time World 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, World Championships 400m hurdles bronze medallist Rushell Clayton, and Sunshine Girls captain Jhaniele Fowler.

Watson leads the pack in the men’s category following his inspiring run to claim the World Championships gold medal in the 400m in 44.22 seconds.

VICTORY

Watson, who entertained the public throughout his junior career, got his first senior title when he pulled off a determined victory to give Jamaica its first 400m World title in 40 years since Bert Cameron won gold in the 1983 Helsinki World Championships.

Watson will be facing competition from a stacked list of nominees, which includes Hansle Parchment, who is coming off a season where he secured the Diamond League trophy in the men’s 110m hurdles and silver in the event at the World Championships, Pan American 400m hurdles champion Jaheel Hyde, World Championships long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock, World Championships long jump bronze medallist Tajay Gayle, and motorsports star Fraser McConnell.