Australian teenager Cameron Myers sliced almost two seconds off the world indoor under-20 mile record with 3:53.12 at the Dr Sander Invitational in New York on Saturday (Jan 25). In his first-ever indoor race, the 18-year-old held off Festus Lagat of Kenya and Adam Fogg of Britain to win. The US-based Fogg also impressed with 3:53.49, although in coming weeks he will be hoping to get closer to his PB of 3:49.62 which was set last year. Myers’ time improved the 3:55.02 world under-20 record of German Fernandez which was set by the American in 2009. “It’s good to come out here and get it (the world under-20 indoor record), but the goal was to run a bit faster so in reality I’m not too happy with that,” said Myers. “So I’ve got to learn how to get out a bit harder.” Myers earned his first world age group record when he ran 3:33.26 in the 1500m in Poland in 2023. In the women’s mile at the Dr Sander Invitational, Katelyn Tuohy won in 4:25.54 from Sweden’s Wilma Nielsen. Source: AW

To many achievers, giving up is never an option, and Jamaican female triple jumper – Shanieka Ricketts is no different.

The 32-year-old Saint Thomas Parish born athlete has revealed that despite her illustrious career winning an Olympic medal was the missing piece her portfolio so grapping a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is an accomplished dream.

Speaking to SportsMax at the Jamaica Pegasus on Friday, the Jamaican National Sportswoman of the Year for 2024 said having accomplished her long standing dream she is now looking forward to ticking many more positive boxes in 2025:

“It’s basically a dream come true. It’s something that has eluded me in my career for a very long time.

“There were times I felt like giving up but, I just kept in mind that it’s possible, kept working towards it and, to finally have that dream realized, I’m living the dream.”

“In 2025, I’m looking for more consistency,” she said.

“I’m definitely putting in the work. Training has been going really well so the sky is the limit,” Ricketts added.

Ricketts’ previous best Olympic finish was fourth at the Tokyo Games in 2021. She is also a two-time World Championship silver medalist. Her Her personal bests in the event are 15.03 metres outdoors [Eugene, Diamond League, 2023] and 14.08 metres indoors [Albuquerque 2013].

Ricketts further noted her delight for winning the National Sportswoman of the Year award for the first time.

“It means the world to be honored at home. Every time we go out there to compete, it’s about bringing honor to the country so it’s always a wonderful feeling when the country honors our successes,” she said.

By Kwame Yeboah