Fresh off winning her first global medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, rising Jamaican sprint hurdler Ackera Nugent is buzzing with excitement—not just for what she’s already accomplished, but for what lies ahead this weekend at the Grand Slam Track and Field Meet in Kingston.
While she will compete in her signature 100m hurdles, Nugent says she’s especially excited to contest the flat 100m sprint, a race that has always held a special place in her heart.
“I know I’m a 100m hurdler, but honestly, I’m really just excited about the 100,” she told SportsMax.TV. “Since high school, that has always been my baby. I feel like doing the 100 will help me piece it all together—especially with speed control between the hurdles.”
The 21-year-old will have the opportunity to showcase both her power and versatility in front of a home crowd, coming off a dramatic and emotional showing in Nanjing, where she won bronze in the 60m hurdles—her first senior global medal.
Nugent’s path to the podium was far from routine. In the semi-final, she clipped and crashed through the final hurdle but still managed to dig deep and cross the line in second place. The impact left her with a painful knee—an injury that made the wait for the final nerve-wracking and emotionally charged.
“I had literally an hour to prepare for the final, and my knee was killing me,” she recalled. “I was trying not to cry. My coach was right there and kept saying, ‘The Lord has something greater for you—you just have to have faith.’”
That belief carried her to one of the biggest moments of her career. In the final, she powered through the pain and nerves and crossed the line in third place—though for a moment, she thought she had won.
“I saw my foot cross the line first and thought I won, but I didn’t see my name come up right away. When I saw ‘third’ next to my name, I just said, ‘I did it.’ And I started crying. Quietly.”
The experience, she said, taught her not just about performance, but about the importance of trusting her preparation, her faith, and herself.
“I think the biggest thing I took from it was how much I needed to lean on my faith. At the line, I said, ‘The Lord is about to accelerate my dreams. He’s in control.’ And I just ran.”
As she turns her attention to the Grand Slam Meet, Nugent is eager to reconnect with the 100m flat—not just as a complementary event, but one she hopes to excel in.
“Coach [Boogie Johnson] always tells me I have the speed. "I know I have room for improvement, and I feel like I have at least 15 more years in this sport. So when the time comes, I know everything will come together.”
With a medal now hanging around her neck, a new race on the horizon, and the support of the Jamaican fans behind her, Ackera Nugent is heading into the Grand Slam Meet with momentum, belief—and plenty of speed to burn.