Shericka Jackson and Antonio Watson named Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year

The Fastest Woman Alive over 200m and the reigning men’s 400m world champion, Shericka Jackson and Antonio Watson, are the 2023 RJR/Gleaner Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year respectively.

Jackson and Watson received their awards at the annual Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards ceremony on Jan. 19 at The Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. It’s the first time either athlete has won the award.

Two time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson and world 400m champion Antonio Watson have been named the 2023 RJRGLEANER National Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year.

Danielle Williams and Hansle Parchment were named runners up in the respective categories.#TVJSports pic.twitter.com/zwb020WEYV

— Television Jamaica/Radio Jamaica Newscentre (@TvjNewscentre) January 20, 2024

For Shericka Jackson, the Sportswoman of the Year award caps off a phenomenal 2023. Jackson retained her women’s 200m IAAF world title by running the second-fastest time ever at 21.41 secs, inching closer to Florence Joyner-Griffiths’ world record of 21.34 secs. She also set a personal best in the women’s 100m with a time of 10.65 secs at last year’s national trials.

Meanwhile, Watson has his big international breakout by winning the men’s 400m title at the IAAF World Championships in 44.22 secs. With his win, he became the first Jamaican man since Bert Cameron to win men’s 400m gold at a major track event.

Danielle Williams, who won the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2023 IAAF World Championships, finished runner-up in the Sportswoman of the Year category. Meanwhile, Olympic champion, Hansle Parchment, finished runner-up for Sportsman of the Year.