The feeling of recognition after long and continuous hard work is something that delights swimmer Alia Atkinson.

Atkinson, who was last year named the RJR National Sportswoman and awarded the People’s Choice Performance of the year for 2014, has once again been shortlisted for both awards to be announced at a gala event scheduled for next week Friday at the Pegasus Hotel.

She added the national accolades to her cabinet last year, following her historic gold medal and record-breaking swim at the 12th FINA World Short-Course Championship in Doha, Qatar in 2014.

The sensational swimmer’s outstanding exploit saw her tracing the strokes of the brilliant Frances Noble and Belinda Phillips, who won the national award in 1968 and ‘74, respectively.

“It is an exceptionally humbling feeling to be recognised once again by the RJR Sports Foundation. The memories of receiving both Awards last year are indelibly etched in my mind and to once again be able to relive them this time around is heart-warming indeed,” Atkinson told the

Jamaica Observer in a recent interview from her home base in Florida.

This year, the former Y-Speedos phenomenon has made the list of eight nominees for her achievement of earning silver and bronze medals in the 50 and 100 metres breaststroke events at the Long Course World Championships in Kazan, Russia.

Atkinson, 27, swam a national r ecord 30.11 seconds for the 50-metre equivalent in August last year. Prior to that, she won a bronze medal in the 100-metre event at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada and finished the year in fourth place overall in the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup.

The world number three-ranked swimmer in the 50-metre event will be vying for the award along with track and field’s darling Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherone Simpson, Shericka Jackson, Elaine Thompson and Danielle Williams, as well as with boxer Alicia Ashley.

The Comet Swim Club representative’s breathtaking performance and achievement in the 50 metres race in Kazan, Russia, have also been included among the accomplishments of five nominees for the People’s Choice Performance of the Year award.

However, her furious swim will have a tough task outshining the destructive force of Chris Gayle, who slammed a historic double century against Zimbabwe at the ICC Cricket World Cup; the sensational run by Danielle Williams, who upset the odds to become Jamaica’s youngest sprint hurdles gold medallist; Simon Dawkins last-gasp goal which resuscitated the Reggae Boyz dream of a spot in the World Cup and the Women’s 4x400m relay team’s historic run to win the gold medal at the World Championships.

“I believe my chances of retaining the awards are good. Last year, the competition was at a very high level and this year I think it is much higher,” Atkinson said.

“But the fundamental consideration is that all the sportsmen and women gave their all and it is up to the judges and the people of Jamaica to determine which is most deserving. In my mind the nominees are all winners,” she added.