Akela Jones is a multi award-winning athlete hailing from Barbados, known for her exceptional achievements in track and field. Born on May 22, 1995 in St. Michael, Barbados, Akela showed promise from a young age and quickly rose to fame in the world of athletics.
At the age of 12, Akela made her career debut in the CARIFTA Games, showcasing her talent and determination. In 2010, she earned her first gold medal at the games, setting the stage for her future success. That same year, she made history as the first Barbadian to win a Penn Relay high school event, proving that she was a force to be reckoned with in the track and field world.
Throughout her career, Akela continued to break records and make headlines. In 2011, she set records in both the national youth and junior women's long jump at the CARIFTA trials. Her hard work and dedication paid off in 2014 when she became the first Barbadian to win a World Junior Championship medal in the long jump. This victory solidified her as a rising star in the world of track and field.
In 2015, Akela was named the Women's National Field Athlete of the Year in the NCAA Division I by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. She also earned the prestigious Austin Sealy Award as the most outstanding athlete of the CARIFTA Games meet, further solidifying her status as a top athlete in the sport.
During her time at Kansas State University, Akela made history by breaking a 30-year record set by Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Her impressive first day total of 4023 points surpassed the previous record, showcasing her incredible talent and dedication to the sport.
Akela Jones is the daughter of Marlene Hall and has five siblings: John, Jah, Jonathan, Ioka Jones, and Irecka Louis. Despite her busy schedule as a professional athlete, Akela remains grounded and values her family above all else.
Akela Jones is truly a force to be reckoned with in the world of track and field. With her impressive list of achievements and unwavering dedication to the sport, she continues to inspire athletes around the world. As she continues to push boundaries and break records, there is no doubt that Akela Jones will go down in history as one of the greatest athletes of her generation.