Jackman wants to be Guyana’s next female world champion

Sep 22, 2020 Sports

By Calvin Chapman

At just 15-years-old, Forgotten Youth Foundation’s Alesha Jackman is already a Caribbean champion and is on the right track in achieving her dreams of following in the footsteps of local female pugilists Gwendolyn O’Neil and Shondell Alfred to be a world champion lady fighter to emerge from Guyana.

Alesha Jackman (right) and Chole Jenkins of the UK.

Last year, Jackman punched her way to the Caribbean junior title in August after beating Trinidad & Tobago’s (T&T) Shirley Wolfe in the final here at the Cliff Anderson Sport Hall on Homestretch Avenue.
Later in the year, in December, the teenager won her second consecutive Senior Caribbean Championship gold medal after out-punching Jamaica’s 20-year-old Britney McFarlane in the final which was contested in the twin island republic of T&T.
The undefeated fighter, who hails from East Ruimveldt, shared with Kaieteur Sport that she was extremely disappointed that she couldn’t get the opportunity to extend her unbeaten run in the Caribbean Boxing Championships due to the worrisome COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the sports industry worldwide.

Coach Sebert Blake (left) and Alesha Jackman.

However, the New Central High School senior student revealed to Kaieteur Sport that she is remaining focused on her studies and training despite the current situation that may be depressing for many.
“I sometimes train in the morning but mostly in the afternoon… Mainly running and cardio exercises at the moment since gyms are not allowed to open as yet but hopefully soon we can get a grip on the coronavirus in Guyana and return to some form of normalcy,” Jackman shared with this publication.
In February this year, Jackman won gold at the Ronald Wilson Memorial senior tournament in Barbados following a convincing points-decision victory over 20-year-old Chole Jenkins of the United Kingdom.
The young woman noted that the victory was extra-special to her because it sort of validated her skills against the likes of competitors from Europe who are exposed to a higher level of training and competition.
Jackman declared that it was a big step and she has nowhere to go rather than up and she will remain committed in being a better fighter.

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