Teenage phenom Adaejah Hodge and two-time Commonwealth Games champion Kyron McMaster are among three athletes selected by the British Virgin Islands Athletics Association to compete at the 2023 World Athletics Championships set to get underway in Budapest, Hungary this coming weekend.

Sprinter Rikkoi Brathwaite is the other athlete set to represent the BVI at the championships where an estimated 2100 athletes from across the globe will go for gold and glory.

Hodge, who turned 17 in March, will be making her debut at the championships in the 200m where she will likely face the biggest tests of her fledgling career in the form of reigning world champion Shericka Jackson, world leader Gabby Thomas and St Lucia’s Julien Alfred.

McMaster is a two-time Commonwealth Games champion, who ran an incredibly fast national record of 47.08 to finish fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His season-best time of 47.26 is ranked fourth in the world this year. He will take to the track to face the likes of World and Olympic champion Karsten Warholm, the world record holder, the USA’s Rai Benjamin and Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, the 2022 world champion.

Brathwaite, who set a new national record of 10.09s in early August, gets things started for the BVI in the 100m on August 20, when he takes on reigning champion Fred Kerley, Noah Lyles, Ferdinand Omanyala and Zharnel Hughes in the blue-ribbon sprint.

Both Hodge and McMaster will begin competition on August 23.

Coach Ralston Henry and the physiotherapist Martin Wilson, a UK national with close ties to Team BVIs will accompany the athletes to Budapest.

Young football talent Damek Rennie is about to embark on a journey that could change his life forever. The 17-year-old central midfield player is set to depart Jamaica later this month to join Panamanian first division team, Club Deportivo Universitario, on a one-year deal with an option for a second year.

Damek's story began on the fields of Camperdown High School, where he showcased his talents playing Colts football, and although he hadn't played in the prestigious Manning Cup, his dedication was unwavering.

Behind the scenes, Jevaughn Hutchinson, his manager, played a pivotal role in Damek's journey. It was Hutchinson who recognized the young player's potential and took him to Panama for those crucial encounters with Club Deportivo Universitario's youth teams. "He impressed them a lot," Hutchinson explained, reflecting on Damek's impact in those games.

The journey ahead was promising. The club saw the value in Damek's attributes - his height, his passing accuracy, his dribbling finesse, and his ability to maintain possession. The plan is to integrate him with the first team, allowing him to train alongside seasoned professionals until December. By then, Damek, who turns 18 later this month, would meet the qualifications to officially represent the club.

Damek is embracing this opportunity with open arms. "We have been working hard for the opportunity, and it finally came," he exclaimed with a sense of gratitude.

Damek's familiarity with Club Deportivo Universitario wasn't limited to just news clippings. Last summer, he had faced off against their U17 and U20 teams, leaving a lasting impression with his skills on the ball. This connection had sparked interest from the club, and now, Damek finds himself on the cusp of something incredible.

As he prepares to step onto the Panamanian soil, Damek is determined to make a lasting impression. "I want to go out there and play, help them win the championship, and elevate their standing," he expressed with a burning ambition.

Adapting to the new environment, connecting with teammates, communicating effectively, and blending seamlessly into the fabric of the club, are his primary objectives.

His mind, too, was a fortress of readiness. Damek revealed that his prior experiences in Panama have prepared him mentally for this adventure. His talent had taken him to Panama three times previously, an experience that expanded his horizons both on and off the pitch.

"It was the first time leaving the country to play football overseas. I learned a lot and brought that knowledge back to Jamaica," he said.

Jamaican hammer thrower Erika Belvit has expressed her profound disappointment at not being selected to her country’s team to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, later this month.

In June, Belvit threw 70.04m, her second best throw this season to win a silver medal at the CAC Games in San Salvador, a testament to her dedication and hard work. Though, her season-best throw of 70.09m falls short of the 74m automatic qualifying standard, her performance earned her a spot among the top-ranked hammer throwers in the world, reaching as high as 34th in the World Athletics rankings.

Yet, when the Jamaican team for the World Championships was announced, her name was conspicuously absent.

On hearing of her non-selection, Belvit reached out to a JAAA official, a ‘Mr Smith’, whom she had met during the CAC Games, asking why she was not selected.

In his reply on WhatsApp, Mr. Smith told the distraught thrower that only one quota athlete could be selected for any one event. However, this is not true as under the World Athletics rules up to three athletes can be selected.

Three years ago World Athletics overhauled its qualification system in an attempt to create a fairer system where half of athletes would qualify for major championships through achieving an automatic qualifying standard and the other half through their world rankings.

Belvit subsequently fired off an email to President of the JAAA Garth Gayle stating her case and inquiring about her non-selection. He replied saying, “The selection committee would have made its recommendation and you were not selected for this occasion. Please continue to persevere in your training for future events.”

Sportsmax.TV reached out to Lincoln Eatmon, an executive of the Jamaican Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA), who provided insight into the JAAA selection process. He explained, "We had to make up our minds because you can't afford to take everybody who is ranked and as a quota athlete. So we made a policy decision that we're only going to take a certain amount and we will give the preference to the national champions who are quota qualified. We decided that we would keep the number at five and so the others who were selected have made the finals at the last because the last World Championships like Kimberly Williamson and Kimberly Williams," he said.

“And then Rasheed Dwyer was selected because he provides possible cover for the sprint relay because well, they seem to have a problem finding healthy people.”

Eatmon explained further that the existing policy was in part based on cost containment and that Belvit had subsequently fallen down the rankings.

“It would cost to start, you know, I would think somewhere about that JMD $1,000,000 because you have to think of the camp and all of those expenses. So it's a lot of money to take a one person. So it's a matter of controlling costs as well.”

Regarding Belvit’s ranking, Eatmon, stated, “She medalled at CAC but you have to look at where she's ranked. As of the 30 June, Erika was ranked 44 in the world. It doesn't make sense taking somebody who is ranked over 40 in an event unless there are other compelling reasons or even over 36, you have to bear in mind it’s cost containment.”

It should be noted that 15 athletes in the top 44 have not thrown farther than Belvit this season.

Meanwhile, Caltha Seymour of the Heaven to the Yeah Foundation, a former hammer thrower herself, has recognized Belvit's potential and the need for more opportunities for athletes in field events.

The foundation has expressed willingness to fund Erika's trip to Budapest, emphasizing the importance of experience and competition for an athlete's development. Seymour stated, "Erika has worked very hard to be in the Top 40 in the world in her event, and being left off of the world's team is disheartening, as it displays that the JAAA is not committed to providing opportunities to develop their world-class athletes in the field events.

“Athletes require experience to develop, especially a year from Paris 2024. There is a process to development, and our JA athletes in the underrepresented sports need to compete with the world's best... to be the world's best. They need to be provided the opportunity for experience... competition requires development."

As discussions about Erika's exclusion unfolded, she voiced her heartache: "I am extremely disappointed. I can't even express how extremely disappointed I am, especially because I qualified and I worked so hard to get to this point. It's not just me, it's other people as well who have worked so hard just to get to qualify and then to be told, not even to be told but to find out you're not going to be able to make it and not being told why is very disheartening."

She explained further that her disappointment is not just about not being selected.

"This means so much to me. This is more than just going and being there. This is about building and creating this legacy, specifically for women’s hammer. This is such a big thing for me, it always has been. Just becoming closer with the people I have, a lot of throwers, coaches in Jamaica and seeing how important it is. There is more to Jamaica than just track, there is more to Jamaica than just running. There are some great people, especially on the field side, who have been showing up and showing out and I just want to be a part of that and the fact that I wont even be able to do that is so disheartening. And I am upset. I am very upset,” she said.

Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls gifted their country a bronze on Independence Day on Sunday when they defeated New Zealand 52-45 in the play-off for third place at the Netball World Cup in South Africa.

It was the first time that Jamaica was defeating New Zealand twice in the same global tournament relegating the Silver Ferns to their worst ever World Cup result.

Needing to rebound from the disappointment of losing 57-54 to Australia in the semi-finals, which denied them the chance to play for the gold medal, Jamaica took control of the match against the injury-riddled Ferns, who were among the favourites to win the tournament.

The defending champions had lost star shooter Grace Nweke to injury during the pool games and then were hit with an injury to Gina Crampton who was forced to leave the game with an ankle injury.

Jhaniele Fowler scored 43 goals at 98 per cent accuracy to help lead the Sunshine Girls while Shamera Sterling and Jodi-Ann Ward defended stoutly to ensure that the Sunshine Girls would have some consolation from the competition.

Ward said she is proud of the way her team rebounded from the loss to Australia on Saturday.

“We were very disappointed because obviously we wanted to be in the gold-medal match but we had to shake it off and came out here and we’re proud of the girls how they came out here and performed,” she said.

Ward added that the team simply wanted to play well to end the tournament on a high following Saturday’s let-down.

“We, as a unit, just wanted to execute because we didn’t do that very well yesterday (Saturday) so we just wanted to come out and execute as best as we could. Kudos to New Zealand they really put on a performance; they forced us to change a lot of things that we would normally do but I am extremely proud we came out with the win.”

Maia Wilson was the leading scorer for New Zealand with 19 goals.

Jamaica and University of Arkansas long jumper Wayne Pinnock has signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) contract with global sports apparel company Puma. The 22-year-old, two-time national champion made the announcement on Instagram on Saturday.

“I’m thrilled to announce that I’m now an official Puma NIL athlete,” said the former Kingston College athlete, who will represent Jamaica at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in a fortnight, after winning his second national title with a jump of 8.32m in July.

As of June 30, 2012, college student-athletes competing in states without an NIL law will have the freedom to receive compensation for their NIL however they see fit, as long as they do not violate pay-for-play or receive financial incentives to sign with or remain at a program. 

Pinnock joins fellow Razorback alum Jaydon Hibbert as Jamaican student-athletes at the University of Arkansas to have announced signing NIL contracts with Puma. Hibbert is the world leader in the triple jump with a mark of 17.87m. The 18-year-old won the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor national titles in his freshman year at Arkansas.

Pinnock is part of a strong long jump contingent that will represent Jamaica at the World Championships set to begin in Budapest on August 19. NCAA champion Carey McLeod and 2019 World Champion Tajay Gayle complete the trio that will go for medals at the championships.

 Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has described the national women’s senior team’s historic qualification to the knockout stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Wednesday as the “proudest moment in Jamaica’s football history.”

The Reggae Girlz advanced to the round of 16 for the first time after holding Brazil to a 0-0 draw that knocked the South American women out of the competition. 

“Their hard fought and determined draw against powerhouse Brazil is most commendable. I could not help shedding a few tears of joy,” the Jamaican sports minister said in a statement.

The undefeated Reggae Girlz have yet to concede goal at the 2023 tournament having held the fifth-ranked France to a 0-0 draw in their opening match and then defeating Panama 1-0l for their first-ever victory at the World Cup.

Jamaica finished their group in second place, behind France.

In her communications with the Girlz following the match, Minister Grange congratulated the team on their performance and reminded them that the entire nation was proud and cheering for them.

Minister Grange reiterated her message which she wrote to the team on the eve of their game against France, stating, “I can never tire of telling you how much your presence on the world stage means to Jamaica and the pride we all feel when we see you donned in the national colours. We see that dreams do come true.”

She said the Reggae Girlz are a source of inspiration for Jamaica and fully deserving of the nation’s full support. “I am happy that my government has been able to support the Jamaica Football Federation and the women’s programme on yet another successful World Cup campaign,” she said.

The Government, through the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and the Sports Development Foundation provides a monthly subvention of J$3M (J$36M per annum) to the JFF for its programmes.

This year, the government allocated an additional J$20M specifically for the Reggae Girlz World Cup campaign, J$10M of which is to be paid directly to members of the squad under the Ministry’s Athlete Assistance Programme.

 In addition, the government insures the Reggae Girlz under the Jamaica Athlete Insurance Plan which covers all health related services including injuries and overseas emergency services up to US$100,000 per athlete.

“Our girls, particularly the Reggae Girlz, the Sunshine Girls (the national netballers who are competing in the World Netball World Cup in South Africa), and the women’s volleyball team (which won the Cazova Championship on the weekend) have made us very proud and have given us such a special gift as we celebrate our nation’s 61st anniversary of Independence.  We are proud of them.”

In an exhilarating display of speed and grit Jamaica’s Kadrian Goldson won gold in the 100m dash at the 2023 FISU World University Games in Chendgu, China on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old Goldson, a student at the GC Foster College in Spanish Town, St Catherine, fought off a stern challenge from South Africa’s Shaun Maswanganyi to take the coveted title. The Jamaica led early but was passed by the South African mid-race.

However, Goldson remained composed and eventually regained the lead late to cross the finish line in 10.04 just ahead of Maswanganyi, who clocked in at 10.06.

China’s Guanfeng Chen won the bronze medal after clocking 10.17.

It was the second of Jamaica’s two medals on the day.

Kai Chang of the University of the West Indies threw a commendable 61.66m to win the silver medal in the men’s discus, an event won by Poland’s Oskar Stachnik, who threw 63.00m.

Algeria’s Oussama Khennoussi threw 61.33m to secure the bronze medal.

In Jamaica, there is no denying the pride and enthusiasm with which we celebrate the success of our track and field athletes. Our nation's history in athletics is filled with triumphant moments and remarkable achievements on the global stage. Yet, while we cheer on our male athletes, it is disheartening to witness the lack of support for women's sports across the country. Whether it be track and field, football, or other disciplines, the struggle for recognition, funding, and public support remains a persistent challenge for women in sports.

The success of our male athletes in track and field has undoubtedly overshadowed the achievements of their female counterparts. This lack of public interest translates to lower revenues and limited corporate sponsorship opportunities, leaving female athletes with fewer resources to further their careers.

The Reggae Girlz, Jamaica's national women's football team, have faced an uphill battle in securing support from both the general football-loving public and corporate sponsors. Despite their achievements and consistently ranking among the top teams regionally and climbing globally, they struggle to attract the same level of financial backing and fan base as the men's team.

This disparity is a reflection of deeply entrenched societal beliefs and cultural norms that perpetuate the notion that women's sports are somehow less worthy of attention and investment.

The Sunshine Girls, our national netball team, have consistently proven themselves as one of the top teams in the world. Their talent and dedication to the sport are unquestionable, yet they face a similar lack of support. Despite their achievements, the team continues to operate with limited resources, hindering their ability to compete on an equal footing with other top netball nations.

Even in the realm of fitness and individual sports, prominent athletes like Kristen McGregor struggle to secure funding for training and competitions. Despite being one of the most successful fitness athletes of modern times in Jamaica, McGregor finds herself facing financial obstacles that hinder her ability to reach her full potential.

There are multiple factors contributing to the lack of support for women's sports in Jamaica. Cultural attitudes play a significant role, as outdated beliefs about what is deemed acceptable for women in sports persist. Society has been slow to fully embrace the idea that female athletes can excel in any discipline and deserve the same recognition and support as their male counterparts.

Inadequate marketing and promotion of women's sports also contribute to the issue. Often, the achievements and stories of female athletes are not given the same level of media coverage and visibility as those of their male counterparts. As a result, potential sponsors and fans may not be aware of the incredible talent and accomplishments of our female athletes.

Additionally, the lack of engaging personalities and role models among female athletes could be a contributing factor. While there are undoubtedly many inspiring and accomplished women in sports, they may not receive the same level of media attention and celebrity status as male athletes, which affects their ability to attract sponsorships and support.

Effective management and organizational structures are crucial for the growth and development of women's sports. Ensuring that resources are allocated appropriately and transparently can make a significant difference in the success of female athletes and teams.

Addressing the challenges facing women's sports in Jamaica requires a collective effort from various stakeholders. Government support in terms of funding and policy initiatives is crucial in creating an environment that fosters the growth of women's sports. Corporate entities can play a vital role by investing in sponsorship and marketing opportunities for female athletes. The media also has a responsibility to provide equal coverage and recognition to women's sports, highlighting the incredible achievements and stories of our female athletes.

Additionally, fostering a cultural shift that promotes gender equality in sports is essential. This includes challenging outdated stereotypes and breaking down barriers that hinder the progress of women in sports. Celebrating the achievements of our female athletes and providing them with the recognition and support they deserve will not only benefit them individually but will also contribute to the overall advancement of women's sports in Jamaica.

It is time to recognize that talent knows no gender and that women's sports are just as deserving of our support and admiration as men's sports. By coming together as a nation to uplift and empower our female athletes, we can create a future where they are given the opportunities and resources they need to succeed on the world stage. Let us take pride in our female athletes' accomplishments and support them in their quest to bring glory to Jamaica on the international sporting arena.

Kishane Thompson, Amoi Brown and Jonielle Smith showcased their athletic prowess setting records while winning their respective events at the CAS International Meeting in the town of Schifflange, Luxembourg on Sunday.

At the meet where they were clearly the class of the field, Thompson, who ran a lifetime best at the Jamaican national championships in early July, showed his time was no fluke. He won his 100m heat in 9.99, a new meet record.

His nearest rival in the two-heat time trial was Great Britain’s David Morgan-Harrison, who ran 10.30 in the second of the two heats. Germany’s Kevin Kranz who was second in Thompson’s heat was the third fastest clocking in at 10.33.

The women’s race saw Jamaican sprinters take the top six places with Smith being best of the lost in a new meet record of 11.16.

Newly minted professional Serena Cole ran 11.25 for second place with Krystal Sloley taking third in 11.30.

Tina Clayton (11.44), Jura Levy of Legacy Athletics (11.45), and Tia Clayton (11.50), were fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.

Brown, meanwhile, won the 100m hurdles in 12.73, which was also a new meet record.

Marion Fourie of South Africa was second in 12.83 with Talie Bonds of the USA not far behind in 12.86.

Alex Ogando of the Dominican Republic was the only runner under 46 seconds in the 400m. He was a convincing winner in 45.27, more than 0.5s ahead of Jamaica’s Malik James-King, who stopped the clock in 46.11 and Patrick Nyambe of Zimbabwe (46.14).

Christoff Bryan continued his journey back from knee surgeries in the past few years, won the high jump with 2.19m effort.

In a breathtaking display of determination and skill, Navasky Anderson etched his name in the history books as he set a new national record and met the World Athletics Championships qualifying standard for the 800m event on deadline day, Sunday.

With mere hours remaining to secure a spot on Jamaica's team for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest next month, Anderson rose to the occasion and delivered a historic run at the DC Track Championships, held at the Thomas O. Berg Track in Washington DC.

Just a week after running a commendable season's best of 1:45.70 at the Under Armour Sunset Tour meeting in Los Angeles, Anderson shaved off a full second from his time. Crossing the finish line in a remarkable 1:44.70, he not only shattered his own national record of 1:45.02 set during the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships on June 10, 2022, but he also became the first Jamaican man to break the 1:45.00 barrier for the 800m.

The DC Track Championships proved to be a thrilling contest, with Anderson finishing second in the race behind Edose Ibadin, who clocked an impressive 1:44.65. Despite the intense competition, Anderson's remarkable performance secured him a coveted spot on Jamaica's team to Budapest.

Throughout the race, Anderson showcased his speed and endurance, running the first 400m in 50.43 before closing the final lap in 54.27.

The performance was the result of his unwavering dedication and perseverance which allowed him to overcome the challenges of battling through injuries for much of the season.

Just a week prior to this outstanding achievement, Anderson had expressed his struggles with injuries during the past collegiate season, which affected his performance at the NCAA Division Championships. However, his faith and determination never wavered, and he continued to work tirelessly towards his goals.

“All glory to God, 1:45.70,” he posted after his season best last week.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say it’s been a rough season, tempted with injuries I felt like I was just failing at everything but through it all I survived and still had faith.”

That faith paid off on Sunday.

 Jamaica's Sunshine Girls continued their triumphant run at the 2023 Netball World Cup, securing their third consecutive win and handing South Africa's Proteas their first defeat in a thrilling showdown on Sunday.

With a resounding scoreline of 67-49, the Caribbean team displayed their dominance on the court, leaving a sold-out crowd at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in awe, even if disappointed at the outcome.

Led by star players Jhanielle Fowler, who scored 39 goals and Shanice Beckford, who had 19, Jamaica asserted their authority from the outset, taking the lead in all quarters and establishing a 32-26 advantage by half-time. Despite the spirited support of the home crowd, South Africa struggled to close the gap against the Commonwealth Games silver medalists.

Goal shooter Lenize Potgieter, who was making her first appearance at the World Cup after recovering from a mild niggle, put on an impressive performance, scoring flawlessly with 17 goals. However, the Sunshine Girls were unstoppable, maintaining possession and extending their lead in the third quarter with an impressive 18-3 scoreline, putting them ahead at 51-29.

As the game reached its climax, South Africa made a valiant effort to bounce back, but Jamaica's precision and determination were unmatched. The final score of 67-49 firmly established Jamaica's supremacy, signaling their dominance in Pool C.

While Nichole Taljaard and Ine-Marí Venter tried their best, making 11 out of 14 shots and 8 of 9 shots respectively, it wasn't enough to halt Jamaica's relentless assault.

The victory places Jamaica at the top of Pool C, securing their spot as the pool leaders, while South Africa takes the second position. The Sunshine Girls' impeccable performance and consecutive wins have boosted their confidence as they advance in the Netball World Cup, further fueling hopes of a first World Cup title.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced their new West Indies Women’s Academy programme with the first High Performance camp scheduled to take place from 30 July to 13 August at the West Indies High Performance Centre at Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua.

The West Indies Women’s Academy will feature an intake of 16 Women’s Rising Stars.

According to a statement from CWI, this marks a pivotal moment in the development of West Indies Women’s cricket in the region and a key step in the professional journey of the 16 players aspiring to becoming part of the next generation of West Indies Women’s senior players.

The squad of 16 players includes Asabi Callender, Jahzara Claxton, NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Earnisha Fontaine, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, KDJazz Mitchell, Ashmini Munisar, Samara Ramnath, Shalini Samaroo, Steffi Soogrim, Abini St Jean, Kate Wilmott.

The West Indies Women's Academy programme will provide a long-term development and coaching plan for these emerging players with the opportunity to learn and train alongside some of the best coaches and mentors in women's cricket. This first West Indies Women’s Academy camp will focus on refining their skills, enhancing their tactical acumen, and nurturing their mental resilience to prepare them for the challenges of international cricket.

“I feel very proud that the inaugural West Indies Women’s Academy has been launched with this first two-week camp in place to start the programme. It’s taken a lot of planning over the last 18 months, so to see it coming to fruition is a major step forward for the development of the next generation of West Indies Women’s cricketers. This first Academy camp is going to be different to previous High Performance camps, as it will be more holistic in developing players all-round game,” said CWI’s Talent Pathway Manager Steve Liburd.

“Most of the Academy intake are continuing from the West Indies Rising Stars Under 19s team that participated in the inaugural ICC Women’s Under19 Cricket World Cup earlier this year. This is a major investment and development to support their careers with the aim of becoming senior international cricketers. Our mandate at the West Indies Women’s Academy is aid their progress into the senior West Indies Women’s team and to equip them to become top international cricketers.”

The West Indies Women’s Academy is part of CWI’s long term strategic plan to invest in and develop women’s cricket across the region and a key stage in the West Indies Player Pathway. By providing a nurturing environment and pathway in which these young players can grow and flourish, CWI aims to create a sustainable pipeline of talent for the West Indies Women’s team.

The West Indies Men’s Academy was launched in 2022 and will continue in 2023

Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, a name synonymous with excellence in track and field, continues to defy expectations and push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport. With an awe-inspiring record of five 100m world championships and two Olympic 100m gold medals, one might wonder what keeps her coming back to compete.

She answered that question on Thursday with a post on social media saying, “I think I’ve reached a point where I have nothing to prove to anyone but, at the same time, I think I have a lot to prove to myself.

“There’s a difference when you believe something and you know what you’re capable of or what’s within your reach. You want to make sure that you’re pushing yourself towards it and trying to accomplish it. I think that was me last year, where I just totally forgot about anybody else’s expectation and just focused on what I know I can do.”

The post reiterated sentiments expressed in a recent interview with Athletic Weekly, where she revealed her burning desire to run faster as the driving force behind her relentless pursuit of greatness. She states, "I used to refrain from stating clearly what I want, and I believe I can run faster – that’s really what has kept me here. I believe that with every fibre of my being."

Last year's consistent runs of seven 10.6 seconds showcased her immense potential, but Fraser Pryce firmly believes there is more to achieve. The prospect of dropping her time further propels her forward, as she remains steadfast in her pursuit of perfection.

What truly sets Fraser Pryce apart is her insatiable hunger for something new, something undiscovered. Despite her remarkable accomplishments, she remains excited and enthusiastic about her journey. The Jamaican sprint queen admits, "I wake up every morning and I go to practice and I’m like, 'man, I’m still doing this.' I still feel good, I still feel hungry."

As her career progresses, Fraser Pryce now views her role as an opportunity to inspire and impact the younger generation of athletes. She sees herself as a living example of what can be achieved with unwavering conviction and dedication. "It’s about impact, showing other athletes what you can do if you really have that conviction," she passionately states.

At 36 years old, Fraser Pryce understands that age should not limit her aspirations. She challenges the notion of ageism in sports, expressing frustration that other athletes in different disciplines can continue, while track and field athletes often face premature retirement. As long as she remains healthy, she vows to keep showing up, rewriting the record books along the way.

Fraser Pryce's dedication to her craft is unparalleled, and she is mindful of how she spends her time. Despite being a devoted mother, she prioritizes her training and even delegates cheering duties to her son's father during football matches. She knows that every second counts in her pursuit of greatness.

Surprisingly, after so many years at the pinnacle of the sport, Fraser Pryce remains humble and self-aware, acknowledging that she still has room for improvement.

 “I don’t have the best technique. I really have to work hard to cement it. It’s something that I have to go to the line and actively process in my head to say ‘this is what we’re doing, this is what we’re doing Shelly’ so I’m still learning to do that,” she states.

“I think one of the things is learning to do it being relaxed, as well as making sure that it’s automatic, it’s something that I can switch on and switch off if I need to. A lot of that takes concentration and replicating it daily in practice. It must be consistent and I think the more times I’m able to do it is, the easier it will become.”

 As the highly anticipated 2023 World Athletics Championships draw near, all eyes are on the legendary sprinter Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce.

With an incredible record of five 100m world titles under her belt, Fraser-Pryce's quest for a sixth crown has been the talk of the athletics world. However, recent knee injury concerns have raised doubts about her chances of defending her title.

In May, Fraser-Pryce suffered a knee injury during her training stint in Kenya. Despite the setback, the determined athlete refused to be deterred. Last week, she showcased her resilience by running times of 10.82 seconds in Lucerne last Thursday and 10.83 seconds in Madrid three days later. However, the question lingers – has her injury jeopardized her chances of clinching another gold?

As the competition heats up, Fraser-Pryce faces fierce opponents, each vying for the coveted top spot on the podium. Gold medal contenders such as Shericka Jackson (10.65), Sha’Carri Richardson (10.71), and Marie Josee Ta Lou (10.75) have all posted impressive times this season, times that Fraser-Pryce has yet to achieve this season.

Fraser-Pryce's comments after her race in Madrid on Sunday have fueled concerns about her fitness level. When asked about her recovery, she candidly admitted, "If I'm being truthful, then it's no, it's not 100 per cent, but you know it is what it is." Despite the uncertainty surrounding her injury, the Jamaican sprint queen remains focused on the task at hand.

Acknowledging the formidable competition she faces, Fraser-Pryce recognizes that other athletes are in peak form. However, she remains undaunted, mentally preparing herself to give her all on the starting line. "There are so many other athletes that I think I are dealing with different things," she stated, emphasizing her determination to perform at her best.

For Fraser-Pryce, the key lies in focusing on what she can control. While her injury recovery may not be at full strength, she refuses to let it define her performance. "I just focus on what I can do and maximizing on those things," she asserted.

As fans and fellow athletes eagerly await the World Championships, the burning question remains – will Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce's indomitable spirit and sheer talent be enough to secure a historic sixth 100m world title? Only time will tell as the world's fastest women take to the track, each one vying for glory and immortality in the sport of athletics.