Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, sprinting to greatness

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If her astounding speed on the track doesn’t catch your attention, her colourful hair definitely will. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has made a name for herself not only in athletics but in the world. The Jamaican track and field sprinter first got world recognition when she won the 100m gold at the 2008 olympics. 

Popularly referred to as Pocket Rocket, Fraser-Pryce has since won six olympic and 11 world championship medals. Of these, according to an interview with Telegraph, the bronze medal she won at the 2016 Olympics is her favourite: “I had a toe injury. I had not been training properly for months. I did not even think I would get to the final, but that mental toughness and sacrifice and commitment was so vital. Feeling great and winning gold is great. But fighting hard like that meant a lot,” she said.

In 2013, she was named the World Athlete of the Year. She had her son in 2017 and returned to the track a year later. It was at the Doha World Championships that she made her comeback when she won gold at the 100m race becoming the oldest female sprinter and second mother to win gold at a 100m championship. 

Aside from her athletics career, Fraser-Pryce is also a business owner and children’s book author. She has also set up the Pocket Rocket Foundation to help needy high school athletes. 

(Photo: Instagram @realshellyannfp)

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