To see all of our 2018 Swammy Awards presented by TYR, click here.
2018 Central American & Caribbean Female Athlete of the Year: Alia Atkinson, Jamaica
Jamaican Alia Atkinson continues to carry the torch for the Caribbean and Central American women. The most successful female swimmer in the region’s history, Atkinson added 2 more World Championship gold medals and a bronze to her haul in 2018.
Swimming in short course meters, Atkinson won the 50 and 100 breast and took a bronze medal in the 100 IM. This comes a year after skipping the long course World Championships in 2017.
Atkinson finished 6th overall at the FINA World Cup series, winning 8 individual event titles. This marks the 6th-straight season in which she’s finished at least in the top 6 in that series.
She set new Jamaican long course records in the 50 free (25.47) and 50 fly (26.53) at the Central American and Caribbean Games: her summer long course championship meet. That brings her up to 25 Jamaican records, including relays.
She took home 3 gold and 2 bronze medals individually at the CAC Games, winning the 50 breast, 100 breast, and 50 fly; while also placing 3rd in the 100 fly and the 50 free.
Honorable Mentions
In no particular order
- Isabella Arcila of Colombia won 4 gold medals individually at the Central American and Caribbean Games, with 3 of them coming in new Meet Records. When added to 3 silvers and a bronze as a member of relays, that brings the former SMU Mustang’s medal haul to 8 at the meet. Colombia as a nation won 7 gold medals at the event: the 2nd-most of all participating nations.
- Joanna Evans of the Bahamas put on a display for her country at the CAC Games as well. She won 3 gold medals and 2 silver medals individually, sweeping the 200, 400, and 800 freestyles.
Congratulations Alia, God is certainly using you in many ways lifting Brand Jamaica and the Caribbean, it is for us Jamaica and the Caribbean to have vision and capitalize on all the exposure you are giving us. I am so proud of you Alia and pray God’s continued coverage and blessings over your life. You have created history for the Caribbean, for Jamaica and black women world over.