Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke, Ackera Nugent sign with Grand Slam Track

By Sports Desk October 17, 2024
Jamaican rising stars Roshawn Clarke (left) and Ackera Nugent (right) have signed with Grand Slam Track. Jamaican rising stars Roshawn Clarke (left) and Ackera Nugent (right) have signed with Grand Slam Track.

Grand Slam Track™, the new global home of professional track competition, launched earlier this year by four-time US Olympic Champion Michael Johnson, today officially announced the signings of Jamaican Olympians Ackera Nugent and Roshawn Clarke.

Both athletes competed at the Paris Olympics this past summer, and they will now compete in all four Grand Slam Track™ Slams in 2025, giving fans the chance to see them race on the world stage.

“Ackera and Roshawn are incredible talents who have achieved major success at such a young age,” said Michael Johnson, the league’s founder and Commissioner.

“Both of them have already made their mark on the global stage, and I’m excited to see how they continue to grow in Grand Slam Track™. They represent the next generation of world-class Jamaican competitors, and I know they’re going to bring something special to the league.”

Nugent specializes in the 100m hurdles and is one of Jamaica’s top emerging athletes.

She holds the 2021 World U20 Championship title and set a national record of 12.28 seconds at the 2024 Jamaican Championships.

A rising star, Nugent competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics and reached the final of the 100m hurdles. Nugent continued her international season after Paris and lowered her national record to 12.24 seconds at the Rome Diamond League making her the 4th fastest women in the history of the event.

Her progression from U20 champion to global contender has solidified her as one of the brightest young talents in the hurdles.

“For me, it’s all about growth,” said Nugent.

“I’m constantly looking for ways to get better, and Grand Slam Track™ gives me the platform to do just that. Racing at this level, over and over, against the best in the world, is what I’ve always wanted, and I’m ready to see how much more I can achieve.”

Roshawn Clarke, at just 20 years old, has already made a significant mark in the 400m hurdles.

After setting a world U20 record of 47.34 seconds at the 2023 World Championships, he went on to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, reaching the final.

His rapid rise has earned him recognition as one of Jamaica’s most promising young athletes.

“I like the idea of Grand Slam Track™ because it changes how things usually are in track,” said Clarke.

“I’m ready to jump into this and compete against the best while testing myself. This league gives me that chance. Racing in all four Slams means I’ll have the opportunity to show what I can really do.”

Nugent and Clarke join a stacked roster of talents announced so far in Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Melissa Jefferson, Masai Russell, Quincy Hall, Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse, Grant Fisher, Josh Kerr, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Nikki Hiltz, Cyrena Samba-Mayela, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Alison Dos Santos, Ronald Kwemoi, Muzala Samukonga, and Clement Ducos.

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