RJRGLEANER nomination leaves Clayton grateful

TWO-TIME WORLD Championships bronze medallist Rushell Clayton said she’s grateful to be nominated for the RJRGLEANER Sports Woman of the Year Award.

“I think it’s sort of an accomplishment, because being nominated shows that your hard work is finally being recognised. Not that we run for our hard work to be recognised, because it’s a part of our job, it’s what we do, but to be recognised is pretty exciting, and I’m thankful and grateful for the nomination,” the 400m hurdler said.

For this prestigious award, Clayton will go up against Sunshine Gilrz goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler, five-time 100m World Champion and 2023 World 100m bronze medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 200m World Champion and fastest woman alive over the distance, Shericka Jackson, and Danielle Williams, who claimed her second 100m hurdles World Championships title in 2023.

While she is happy to be nominated, Clayton said winning the award is not something she has her mind fixed on.

“It’s definitely not something I’m dwelling on. I heard from my grandmother that I was nominated, that’s the funny part of it,” she said with a giggle.

However, winning would be great for Clayton.

“I think I would be more thankful than anything else,” she said.

Clayton, who is also a Pan-American Games bronze medallist and two-time NACAC Under-23 Championships bronze medallist, said she’s aiming to improve on her previous season

“The goal is always to win the gold. So for me it’s always getting into that top three position,” said the 31-year-old, who has a personal best of 52.81 seconds.

The 63rd staging of the awards ceremony will be held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on January 19, 2024.