Boxer, Nicholas ‘The Axeman’ Walters, and swimming star, Alia Atkinson, have been added to the hallowed corridors of Jamaican sporting heritage, after coming out on top at the 54th RJR Sports Foundation National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards during a function at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
Walters and Atkinson attained the feat three days after receiving a Gleaner Special Award and Honour Award, respectively, for Sports.
Atkinson also received the people’s choice award based on popular votes.
“When we achieve greatness, everyone in Jamaica achieves it with us,” she said, reiterating that when youths have fallen they are to be nurtured and brought back up.
For Walters, the award is most significant: “Getting sports man of the year is like getting sports man of the world,” he said.
Tonight, she and Walters entered the grandiose ballroom as the overwhelming favourites for the top awards and left a few hours later clutching the island’s highest sporting accolade – ending a run of 40 years since a non-track and field athlete has won either of the top awards.
