Clarke gets World Athletics nod for Rising Athlete

"I only have two words for my 2023 season...simply magnificent," says world Under-20 World Championships bronze medal winner and national 400 metres hurdles record holder Roshawn Clarke.

World Athletics agrees with Clarke as they have shortlisted the 19-year-old for their Rising Star Award for the just concluded season.

His outstanding season includes breaking the world Under-20 record in the men's 400 metres hurdles after clocking 47.35 seconds in the semi-finals at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in August. It also broke Winthrop Graham's 30-year record of 47.60 seconds, set in Zurich, Switzerland.

In his first senior World Championships, Clarke finished fourth in the final after putting up a good performance with a time of 48.07 seconds.

Clarke said the records were the highlight of his season, and this award nomination, which he said was not a shocker to him, makes him hungry for more.

"I was expecting it because I had a great season. It added more hunger and determination to stay amongst the best," he said ambitiously.

The Camperdown High School alumni said winning the award would mean a lot to him and has already motivated him even more to achieve next season's goals.

"My goal for next season is making that Olympic team and bring team Jamaica all the way. It's a big dream, and I'm about to get it. I'm motivated for this season," he expressed.

Clarke will be going for the award against American Erriyon Knighton, who was second in the men's 200 metres at the World Championships, and Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi, silver medallist in the men's 800 metres.

Clarke's other awards for the season include being named the Austin Sealy Award winner as the Most Outstanding Athlete at the 50th Carifta Games in Nassau, Bahamas, after retaining his Under-20 boys' 400 metres hurdles title.

Clarke credits his success to his faith in God, his team and hard work.