The 54th staging of the RJR Sportsman and sportswoman of the year could see a break in the strong hold of Track and Field on the award, as two “minor sports” stars leads the way as the nominees were announced Thursday morning by the Selection Committee of the RJR Sports Foundation. The Awards function will be held on Friday, January 16, 2015.
In a year when track and field biggest events were not on the calendar, the spotlight is now more focused on the Ring and Pool, Boxer Nicholas ‘Axeman’ Walters and swimmer Alia Atkinson head the list of nominees for this year Awards.
Walters, is highly favoured to take the top spot this time around extending his unbeaten record in the ring to 25-0 by defending the World Super Feather Weight Title twice in one year this against Vic Darchinyan in May followed by another TKO against Nonito Donaire in October 2014.
His male challengers are all from the sport of Track and Field. A quartet of Commonwealth Games gold medalists, Kemar Bailey-Cole (100m), Rasheed Dwyer (200m), Andrew Riley (110 hurdles) and O’Dayne Richards (Shot Put) are in the race for the title. If Walters should cop the title he will be the third boxer following in the footsteps of Bunny Grant and Mike McCallum to win the prestigious Awards.
Alia “Swimming sensation “ Atkinson, who just under a week ago became the first black woman to win a swimming World Championship title and in the process equaling the world record for the 100m breaststroke is leading the pack for the title that has eluded her sports for many years.
Her main challengers again will come from Track and field. 400m hurdles star woman for 2014 Kaliese Spencer who copped the Commonwealth title, another diamond league crown, Intercontinental Cup, World indoor silver medals and having eight of the top ten times in the event this year to her track collection.
The remainder of the field features World 60m indoor champion and Commonwealth Games relay Gold medalist Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, 400M Commonwealth Champion Stephanie Ann McPherson, Commonwealth Games 100m silver medalist and Diamond League 100m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown , Commonwealth triple jump Champion Kimberly Williams and Commonwealth silver medalist and Diamond League champion in the 400m Novlene Williams−Mills.
Star female cricketer Stafanie Taylor who copped the Runner up ICC Cricketer of the Year is also vying for the top position.
Atkinson and Walters are also tipped to take two awards on the night as they are also nominated for the People’s Choice Performance of the Year Award. The person with the best chance of overthrowing either athlete will be junior track athlete Jaheel Hyde.
Three other nominees are Kemar Lawrence, Andre Russell and Andrew Gutzmore.
There will be a Mind Games award for the first time, within the Category Segment and will be restricted to Chess and Bridge, events recognized by the International Mind Sports Association (ISMA).
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