Boxer Nicholas Walters and swimmer Alia Atkinson are on top of the list of nominees for the RJR National Sportsman and Sportswoman Awards that this year will see the introduction of the Mind Games category. The nominees were announced yesterday at a function held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Usain Bolt who has won five of the last six years, was not nominated, paving the way for Walters to fight for the crown against the athletics quartet of Commonwealth Games gold medallists, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Rasheed Dwyer, Andrew Riley and O’Dayne Richards.

Walters with two world title victories, is considered the favourite, having in May defended his WBA World Featherweight title he won in Kingston with a fifth round knockout of Armenian Vic Darchinyan, who had won world championship in three different divisions.

Atkinson, who just last week won a World Championship title in equalling the world record for the 100m breaststroke, lines up against four track and field athletes, Kaliese Spencer, Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, Stephanie McPherson Veronica Campbell-Brown, and triple jumper Kimberly Williams. The other nominee in the women’s section is cricketer Stafanie Taylor.

Atkinson could become the first swimmer in 40 years to win the award since Belinda Phillips did so in 1974. Vivalyn Latty-Scott being the last non athletics winner in 1976.

Atkinson for her world record equalling swim in the 100 breaststroke of 1 minute 02.36 seconds, is the only female along with Walters, Jaheel Hyde (athletics), Kemar Lawrence (football), Andre Russell (cricket) and Andrew Gutzmore (football) nominated for the People’s Choice Performance of the Year Award.

Hyde of Wolmer’s Boys High School, was nominated for his impressive world junior leading time of 49.49 seconds at Boys Champs 2014 in the 400m hurdles. Another schoolboy, Gutzmore of Clarendon College, scored a wonderful long range goal in the Ben Francis Cup against Glenmuir High. Lawrence of Harbour View, scored a spectacular freekick for Jamaica against Canada while Russell kept his head and won a memorable game for Jamaica Tallawahs with his last ball six.

Meanwhile the new Mind Games awards will fall under the Category Segment and will be restricted to Chess and Bridge, both of which are recognised by the International Mind Sports Association (ISMA).

“The decision came as the Board made its annual review of the criteria for qualification in all categories for the awards. Both Bridge and Chess have a long history in Jamaica and have achieved varying levels of international success. We welcome their inclusion,” said Gary Allen, Chairman of the RJR Sports Foundation.

The Awards function will be held on Friday January 16, 2015.