Ricketts not ready to quit just yet
Published:Sunday | January 19, 2025 | 12:12 AMGregory Bryce - Staff Reporter
AS SHE collected the prestigious RJRGLEANER Sportswoman of the Year award on Friday night at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, veteran triple jumper Shanieka Ricketts said her age will not be slowing her down as she prepares for the 2025 season.
Ricketts was the toast of Friday night’s ceremony as she walked away with the grand prize following a successful season last year.
A decorated athlete on the international stage, Ricketts claimed a long-awaited Olympic medal when she took silver in the women’s triple jump at the Paris Olympic Games.
Speaking with The Gleaner, she stated it was an honour to be considered among some of the best athletes from Jamaica.
“It is a wonderful feeling to be honest and I think it’s not just about winning,” she said.
“To be mentioned among the best sportswomen in the country is really an honour. It is always a privilege to represent Jamaica. These awards just encourage us to keep going and I’m just enjoying the night and having fun.”
As she looks towards the new calendar year, Ricketts explained her age will not be a hindrance.
The triple jumper will be turning 33 years old come February but insisted she is still enjoying herself in the sand pit.
“I still have that motivation to keep going. There is this stigma that once you reach a certain age that you should pack it up but I feel good and I’m still enjoying myself,” Ricketts insisted.
“I’m still enjoying the sport and I am excited to see what’s next for me. Age is just a number and I think there is so much more to an individual than their age. Once you’re taking care of yourself and making sure you have that longevity in the sport, I feel there is so much more to achieve.”
Ricketts has her eyes trained on making the Jamaican contingent that will travel to Tokyo for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in September.
With two World Championships silver medals already under her belt, she is hoping she can leap just one step further and claim gold this time around.
“I think once you’re alive then you have to have goals. My major goal for this year is to make the World Champs team again. I have two silver medals at the World Championships and it would be nice to add a gold to that collection,” she stated.
“That is my focus and I’m constantly trying to improve myself and hopefully it will pay off this season,” she said.
Ricketts has yet to open her 2025 season. The last time she competed was in September of 2024 when she finished second at the Brussels Diamond League.