Tue | Nov 5, 2024

‘It’s a huge step’

Nugent eager to get professional career underway

Published:Wednesday | August 21, 2024 | 12:13 AM
Ackera Nugent (right) of Jamaica competing in heat 5 of the women’s 100m hurdles round one at the Paris Olympics inside the Stade de France on August 7.
Gladstone Taylor
Ackera Nugent (right) of Jamaica competing in heat 5 of the women’s 100m hurdles round one at the Paris Olympics inside the Stade de France on August 7.

NATIONAL RECORD holder over the 100-metre hurdles, Ackera Nugent, is set to open her Diamond League account at the prestigious Lausanne Diamond League in Switzerland tomorrow.

Nugent, the second-fastest woman in the world this year over the 100m hurdles, and Jamaica’s sole finalist at the Olympics, is set to face an exceptional field in what promises to be one of the most anticipated races of the meet.

Among her competitors are Olympic bronze medallist, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, and compatriot Danielle Williams.

Nugent has had an outstanding 2024, capturing the spotlight after a dominant win at the national senior trials in a blistering personal best of 12.28 seconds. The mark, a new stadium record, is the ninth-fastest time in history over the distance.

Her notable achievements include reaching the finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she failed to finish after hitting the first hurdle.

Nugent looks forward to making her Diamond League debut.

“I’m incredibly grateful to finally have the opportunity to compete on the Diamond League circuit,” Nugent shares.

“It’s a huge step as I transition into a full-time professional athlete. The Diamond League is where I see myself competing for the foreseeable future, so I’m ready to embrace everything that comes with it.”

Nugent is also slated to compete at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland on Sunday and at the Rome Golden Gala on August 30.