Jamaican swimmer Alia Atkinson made history over the weekend at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Doha, Qatar. Atkinson became the first Black woman to ever win a world swimming title and also claimed a new world record.
Atkinson, who hails from Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, raced for her country in the 100m breaststroke competition. The 25-year-old won the title, edging out world record holder 17-year-old Ruta Meilutyte and tying her record. By FINA rules, Atkinson is now the world record holder for the 100m breaststroke.
Atkinson won with the time of one minute and 2.36 seconds, beating Meilutyte to the touch by a tenth of a second. Meilutyte, of Lithuania, was defending her title at the event. After winning the race, Atkinson stared at the scoreboard in disbelief before it sank in that she not only won but made history.
Atkinson, who finished fourth at the London Olympics, has won three world short-course silver medals in times past. The FINA World Swimming Championships were also referred to as the World Short-Course Championships in various international press outlets.
Atkinson attended college at Texas A&M University, placing first in the 2010 NCAA Championships in the 200m breaststroke as a member of the school’s swim team. She currently trains in Florida and is still a member of the Jamaica national team. Atkinson hopes to serve as a role model for those in her country and to others across the Caribbean to join the sport of swimming.
