Meet the top sportsmen of 2023

The RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year award takes place tonight at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston and though the exploits of those who would have epitomised what the awards stand for throughout 2023 are likely well known, we thought it worth it to remind you so you can make up your mind about who the absolute best was in 2023.

Tajay Gayle:

In 2023 Gayle started the season with a silver medal in the long jump at the World Indoor Finals in Birmingham, England. In the outdoor season Gayle had two first-place finishes and seven runner-ups. After placing second at the JAAA National Championships, Gayle finished runner-up at the Diamond League finals in Switzerland and then ended his season with the bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. He ended the season ranked number two in the world.

Jaheel Hyde:

Hyde finished second in the 400m hurdles at the JAAA National Championship and narrowly missed a spot in the final at the World Athletics Championships after finishing fourth in his semi-final in 48.49 seconds. Hyde would go on to win gold medal at the Pan American Games in Chile in a time of 49.19.

Fraser McConnell:

In his first time driving on ice McConell won the Battle Bracket Finals of the Group E Nitrocross in January. In February, he became the first driver in Nitrocross history to win three top qualifiers. In May, McConnell won his first race in Extreme E driving for Lewis Hamilton X44 VIDA Carbon racing team in round three of season three. At the back end of the season McConnell won round four and finished second in round five of Nitrocross.

Hansle Parchment:

After finishing second at the JAAA National Championship, Parchment went on to take the silver medal in the 110m hurdles at the World Athletics Championship. On the Diamond League circuit Parchment won the final in Eugene in a year-leading and personal best 12.93 and ended the year ranked number two for the event.

Wayne Pinnock:

During the collegiate season long jumper Pinnock had two wins in California and a second-place finish at the NCAA Finals in Texas. After claiming the national title in Kingston with a jump of 8.32m Pinnock would go on to qualify for the final at the World Athletics Championship with a then-world-leading jump of 8.54m. He would end the competition with a silver medal and ended the year ranked number two in the world.

Antonio Watson:

After winning the 400m at Racers Grand Prix in a time of 44.75 seconds, Watson followed up with a second-place finish at the JAAA National Championship in 44.54. At the World Athletics Championship Watson took the gold medal in a time of 44.22 seconds which marked the first victory for a Jamaican in the event in 40 years. Jamaica’s Bert Cameron was the first champion in 1983.