Nugent prays for perfect run in 100m hurdles

PARIS, France

Ackera Nugent’s first World Athletics Championship appearance in Budapest, Hungary last year was memorable and impactful.

This year in Paris, she’s determined to be nothing other than the best version of herself to boost her chances of delivering Jamaica’s first Olympic title in the 100 metres hurdles.

Nugent makes her Olympic debut on the heels of smashing the national record at the JAAA/Puma National Junior and Senior Championships last month with a 12.28 seconds performance. Her growth began a year earlier when she made her first major global senior championship team at the World Championships. In a campaign which saw her make it to the final on the first attempt and finish fifth, Nugent’s emotions showed after the final when she walked in the mixed zone in tears.

But make no mistake, those were not tears of anguish, but a reflection of how far she progressed in 2023.

“I wouldn’t say it was disappointing. A lot of people thought I was disappointed. Genuinely it was just the case to see I was able to finish the year making a World Championship final,” Nugent told The Gleaner. “Having as many races as I did in college, making the finals and coming fifth, everything hits you in the end. It hit me, seeing where I was, what I was capable of doing. I am not denied nor am I delayed. It was tears of joy.”

The former world under-20 champion has continued from strength to strength since then. Attaining the record and the temporary world lead was a bit of a surprise but not completely as it was validating the belief she has in her abilities.

“It is something that you pray for. It’s just like you can’t pray and not have faith in what you pray for. I was praying for 12.20. So being able to go out there and get the time (was satisfying).”

Her first season as a professional has not been without difficulty, but she feels that being the best version of herself will give her the chance to challenge for the Olympic title.

“The 100m hurdles is one of those races that you cannot afford to make mistakes because there are phenomenal hurdlers out there that I am competing against. But the most important thing for me is to remain focused. Focus on my training and show up as the best version of myself on the day and do what I do best,” Nugent said.