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Seville, Clayton champion big dreams, hard work
January 19, 2026
The 2025 RJRGLEANER Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, Oblique Seville and Tina Clayton, upon receiving their awards, gave similar messages when they spoke on the importance of dreaming big and the value of hard work in achieving your goals.
Seville and Clayton walked away with the grand prizes at the RJRGLEANER National Sports Awards ceremony last Saturday.
Seville earned the award following an outstanding campaign last year, where he secured his first major individual medal by winning gold in the men's 100m at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships.
He won the title in a personal best 9.77 seconds, and became the first Jamaican man since Usain Bolt (2015) to hold the title.
Clayton earned her award as she cemented herself as one of the world's elite sprinters, claimed the silver medal in the women's 100m at the World Championships in a personal best 10.76.
She also claimed her first 100m national title and was a member of Jamaica's quartet which won silver in the women's 4x100m relay.
In accepting his award, Seville championed the importance of determination and discipline in life and drew from his own experiences.
Before his World title, Seville had endured a career of near misses, after back-to-back fourth-place finishes at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, and finishing eighth in the 2024 Olympic Games.
"When I look back at the experience in the last year, it was a special experience for me. You guys have followed my journey to see where I am coming from, to see that I have finally made it to the podium this year," he said.
With this message, Seville encouraged others to dream big in life, and to not allow their background to limit their aspirations.
"To the young people listening, first, never let where you are from limit where you are going. Two, your background is not a barrier, it is your strength. And three, dream big, work hard, and focus," he insisted.
"Focus even when no one is watching. Because success isn't about medals or titles. It is about inspiration and inspiring others, giving back, and living a life that is bigger than your own."
Echoing his words, Clayton encouraged others to dream big as well, and pointed to her breakout season as proof of lofty ambitions.
She said the ability to dream big and to work towards those dreams, is deeply embedded in Jamaica's culture.
"I stand here tonight as an example of dreaming a dream that continues to unfold," she explained.
"A dream that has overcome many struggles and hardships. A dream that continues to focus and want to be better for myself and my family, my community, and my country.
"A dream that has never left me, even as I reflect on those moments that brought me to tears, but set me up for moments of glory like this one tonight."
