World champion long jumper Tahjay Gayle among four sports personalities recognized at Prime Minister's Youth Awards
Woman International Master and Candidate Master Rachel Miller as well as multiple ISKA World Championships gold medalist Richard Stone were also awardees at the ceremony at which youth who have excelled and contributed to national development are recognized.
Gayle, 24, shocked the world in Doha, Qatar in 2019 when he became the first Jamaican to win a gold medal at a global athletic event. His mark of 8.69m was a new national record and the best wind-legal jump in the world for a decade.
He said he was honoured to be receive the award.
Walker, the Mr Olympia Amateur winner in 2018, finished third in the IFBB Atlanta Pro tournament in August, despite not being able to prepare for months because of the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic that forced the closure of gyms in Florida where he is based. “This has been a milestone for myself and the Jamaica Bodybuilding Association,” he said.
Miller, 20, became the second Women International Master back in 2014 and is currently the highest rated active female player in Jamaica. She appreciated that the committee saw it fit for her to receive the award as in Jamaica chess is not as highly regarded as other sports.
“I am very humbled and happy to be recognized by the Prime Minister Youth Award Committee mainly because chess is seen as a minor sport in Jamaica, and usually there is more focus on the higher sports such as track and field and football. However, I am really glad that they have been able to recognize me, especially as there are not many chess players in the country,” she said.
Stone, 27, won gold medals in points and continuous sparring at the International Sports Kickboxing Amateur Members Association in Ireland. To be recognized, he said, “brings attention to the sport so that the island can be aware that we are fighters and we have been doing much good for the country.”