Matheson, Guwalani overcome setbacks to claim Champions of the West awards

A broken foot could not derail Jabari Matheson’s ambitions, while a season plagued by injuries failed to diminish Shreya Guwalani’s determination. The two emerged as top boy and girl awardees at the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run – Champions of the West awards (JSMCR-COTW).

Eleven student-athletes were recognised for their achievements across various sporting disciplines during the second staging of the awards ceremony, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Thursday.

Matheson, a standout performer for William Knibb High School, copped the Montego Bay Convention Centre’s Outstanding Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award in track and field. Guwalani, from Mount Alvernia High (MAHS) won the St James Municipal Corporation’s Outstanding Female Student-Athlete of the Year award in swimming. Both recipients walked away with $100,000 each.

Guwalani’s achievement follows that of her twin brother, Suraj, who won the inaugural boys’ award last year.

“Birthday gift”

For Matheson, the recognition was particularly special as it came just days after his 19th birthday, on October 6.

“It is a great birthday gift for me. The feeling is good because of what I went through this season with injuries. For COTW to recognise me as a finalist, and then be Top Boy, it’s great. I am going to do my best. I know I can do more great things,” said Matheson.

The William Knibb athlete suffered a broken foot last year, which prevented him from competing. He believes his experience can encourage other young athletes to remain focused despite the challenges they face.

“This will push other athletes, my teammates, and especially those who are injured. Some still don’t have anywhere to live after the hurricane, and nowhere to train. But I told my story, they listened, and I got the award. I feel like they can push through anything they are going through as well,” he added.

Matheson won two medals for Jamaica earlier this year at the Carifta Games. His growing résumé in track and field includes representing Jamaica at the 2026 World Under-20 Championships in the United States. He also contributed to William Knibb’s showing at the ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, where the school finished in the top 10 this year.

Swimming sensation

Guwalani, a swimming sensation who is also from SailFish Swim Academy, was equally delighted with her award, having endured a season marked by physical setbacks.

The 16-year-old swimmer emerged champion at the 2026 Mayberry High-Performance Swim Classic, amassing 26 points, and credited her faith and hard work for helping her return to form.

“I’m just giving God thanks for allowing me to have this opportunity to receive this award because my season last year wasn’t my best and it wasn’t my greatest. But I worked very hard to receive this trophy, so I’m very grateful,” said Guwalani, who cried after receiving the award.

Her previous season involved managing injuries through numerous MRI scans, doctor’s visits and physiotherapy sessions.

Despite those difficulties, Guwalani said the recognition reinforced belief in her ability to overcome adversity.

“Receiving this trophy shows me that, no matter how hard things are for me, I can always manoeuvre around it and find myself back to the top. I just had to keep a good mindset. When I go out into the pool, I can really just showcase how hard I worked,” she added.

Special awards

Two special awards were also presented to last year’s top awardees, Shanoya Douglas of Holland High and Suraj Guwalani of Herbert Morrison Technical High.

Both received Champions of the West ambassador pins in recognition of their continued excellence in track and field and swimming, respectively.

Douglas also received the Jamaica Observer Sporting Excellence Award.

The Champions of the West awards are funded through sponsorship and proceeds from the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run, which has raised more than $45 million since its inception more than a decade ago.

Sectional Awards:

Nine other contenders received sectional awards in their respective sporting disciplines, along with $50,000 each.

The recipients were Maliek Wellington of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), who received the AFresh Distinguished Student-Athlete Award for football; Annalisa Powell of Montego Bay High, who received the American Airlines Award for volleyball; and Kyla Little of Herbert Morrison Technical High School (HMTHS), who received the Burger King Distinguished Student-Athlete Award in netball.

Malia Housen of (MAHS) received the Caribbean Producers (Jamaica) Limited (CPJ) Award for track and field, while Davieka Lewis of STETHS collected the Cover Me Up Events Distinguished Student-Athlete Award, also in track and field.