Why not celebrate International Women's Day with a few of our top performing women in sport?
Here's just a handful...I know I can't get everyone so hope I don't miss too many amazing women!
Hayley Matthews (Cricket)
Matthews made her debut for the Barbadian cricket team at the age of 12. Her international debut for the West Indies came at the age of 16, in a Twenty20 International against New Zealand in September 2014. Matthews made her One Day International (ODI) debut a few months later. (thanks Wiki). She was just appointed Captain of the Barbados women's team.
Did you know she also threw javelin at Carifta and won gold in 2015? Have a look at her in action here, scoring her maiden century.
Keep up to date with the capitan on IG @hkmatthews50
Akela Jones (Long jump/high jump/heptathlon)
At age 13 she set a world best in the high jump. She has loads of Carifta medals in the high and long jump, as well as championship records and Barbados junior and national records. (She holds the high jump, long jump and 60m hurdles national records.) Akela Jones was Barbados' sports personality of the year in 2014, and she proudly bore the Barbados flag at the 2016 Olympics.
And can you believe she's an entrepreneur? Check out her African inspired accessory line on IG @edgedxechelon and follow her @akelajumps
Kimberly Gittens (Boxing)
She was the first Bajan women to rep our flag at the CAC games for boxing. She finished with a bronze medal, and commented to the Nation News that her mental preparation was the biggest key in that competition. Kimberly is a 2x Caribbean Gold Medalist, 2017 OECS Champion, 2017 Creole Champions, and is ranked #33 in the world. Believe or not, she also loves modern dance and was a dancer before she became a world class boxer.
Watch a bout right here.
We also can't forget about these 2 Barbadian athletes: Lani Cabrera (Swimmer) who competed in the 2016 summer Olympics in the 400m freestyle. She swam and medalled at Carifta, as well as the CAC games. Sada Williams (Track and field). Finally, Sada Williams, who is the "darling" of track and field and holds the 200m record, and is an Olympic qualifier. She trained with Leo Garnes of the Elite Distance club (my coach!), and is a past student of Harrison College. Watch her pull away from the field in her 200m record & Olympic qualifying run right here.
Really proud of the female Barbadian athletes of today, and hope we keep pushing upward and onward!
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