Blake, Bolt, VCB top nominees for RJR awards

The 2011 RJR National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year will be announced on Friday, January 20 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.



Double world record holder Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Veronica Campbell-Brown head the list of six men and six women nominated for the 2011 awards.



Bolt and Jamaica’s newest track and field sensation Blake will be challenged by sprinters Lerone Clarke and Asafa Powell, along with West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels and Boxer Nicholas Walters.



Campbell-Brown is the big favourites to win the women’s award. 400-metre hurdlers Kaliese Spencer and Melaine Walker, boxer Alicia Ashley, swimmer Alia Atkinson and cricketer Stefanie Taylor are the other women’s nominees.



This year will see the introduction of a special Iconic Award to be sponsored by Sagicor Life Jamaica, while the Chairman’s Award returns after a one-year break.



The other major award on the day is the People’s Choice Performance of the Year Award.