Minister of Sports, Stephen Lashley, has lauded Barbadian athlete Akela Jones for qualifying for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
In a statement, Lashley praised the young athlete for her performance in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, United States. Lashley said that such an achievement “did not come as a surprise”, as Jones’ stellar performances have been a constant throughout her athletic career.
“I would like to encourage her and assure her of the continued support of the Government and the people of Barbados. This is wonderful news and I really would like to ensure that she understands that Barbados stands behind her in her quest for gold at the Olympic Games,” he stated.
He added: “She is going to bring even further glory to Barbados . . . . She remains the best chance for Barbados bringing home a gold medal at the Olympic Games.”
Akela Jones has qualified for the Olympic Games in Rio.
Jones, who won the heptathlon at the NCAA Track and Field Championships, not only placed first in the high jump, shot put and long jump, but also broke a record previously held by American athlete, Olympic gold medallist Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
Source: (BGIS)
Akela Jones |
Discipline: Hurdles/Jumps/Multis
Category: College
Event: 100H,LJ,HJ, Hep
Date of Birth: 1995.04.22
Residence: Manhattan, Kansas
Hometown: Bridgetown, Barbados
High School: Springer Memorial
College: Oklahoma Baptist/Kansas State University
Club or Coach: Neil Crichlow
|
Bio
- N CAA Indoor Championships 2015 - All- American Long Jump (6th)
- 2014 Carifta Games Austin Sealy Award Winner
- 2014 NAIA Female MVP
- 2013 NAIA Female MVP
- 2013 NAIA Outdoor Chanmpionships - All American Champion - Long Jump, High Jump, 100H
Akela is now a Jr. at the Kansas State University. She made history by becoming the first athlete from Barbados to win a medal at the IAAF World Junior Championships, winning gold in the long jump final with a leap of 6.34 meters. She is also a triple gold winner at the 2014 Carifta Games and winner of the coveted Austin Sealy Award. A former student at the Springer Memorial, she is coached by Neil Crichlow and Sean Dupigny. Her brother, John Jones, plays basketball for Illinois State.
Oklahoma Baptist - Six-time national outdoor NAIA champion...two titles each in the 100 meter hurdles, high jump and long jump...six-time national indoor NAIA champion...two titles each in the high jump and long jump...took first at 2014 NAIA Indoor National Championship in the pentathlon and 60 meter hurdles...holds championship record in the pentathlon (4,153)...only NAIA Championship pentathlon competitor to clear six feet in the high jump (1.83m)2014 IAAF World Junior Championships long jump champion...first athlete from Barbados to win a medal of any color at World Juniors...2014 CAC Juniors long jump champion.
High School - Competed in track and field, volleyball and netball...16-time medalist at the CARIFTA Games...CAC U-17 high jump champion...holds CAC U-17 record in event (1.81m)...CAC Juniors long jump champion. Personal - Born April 22, 1995...daughter of Marlene Hall...has five siblings, John, Jah, Jonathan, Ioka Jones and Irecka Louis...studying political science.
Career Highlights
Meet
|
Event
|
Group
|
Year
|
Rank
|
IAAF World Junior Championships
|
LJ
|
Jr.
|
2014
|
Gold Medalist
|
Carifta Games
|
100H
HJ
LJ
|
U20
|
2014
|
Gold Medalist
Gold Medalist
Gold Medalist
|
Carifta Games
|
100H
HJ
LJ
|
U20
|
2013
|
Silver Medalist
Bronze Medalist
Gold Medalist
|
IAAF World Junior Championships
|
LJ
|
Jr.
|
2012
|
Qualifier
|
IAAF World Youth Championships
|
LJ
|
Jr.
|
2011
|
6th
|
Personal Bests
Event
|
Indoor
|
Outdoor
|
Year
|
60m
|
7.47
|
2015
| |
60H
|
8.15
|
2015
| |
800m
|
2:34.75
|
2:21.62
|
2015
|
LJ
|
6.64m
| 6.55m |
2014
|
HJ
|
1.87m
|
2015
| |
SP
|
14.16m
|
12.30m
|
2015
|
Pen/Hep
|
4402
| 6049 |
2015
|
100m
| 11.64 |
2015
| |
200m
| 23.72 |
2015
| |
100H
| 13.31 |
2015
|
No comments:
Post a Comment