Yohan Blake, who became the youngest man to win the 100m at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea in 2011, has been included on the list of Jamaicans to receive national honours in October. Blake was 21 years old when he won the men’s 100m gold medal, holding his nerves after teammate, world record holder and defending champion Usain Bolt was disqualified for a false start.

Five individuals from the field of sports have been included in the list of just over 140 that was published on Wednesday and appointed to the Orders of the Societies of Honour and awarded badges of honour, effective August 6, 2025. They will be presented with their insignias on National Heroes’ Day, October 20.

Former Reggae Boy Ricardo Gardner, former West Indies cricket captain Rovman Powell, race horse jockey Shane Ellis, and Jefferson Watson Davis, who represented Jamaica at the Special Olympics for two decades, are the other sports personalities who will be recognised.

Blake, who is the second-fastest man ever, behind Bolt in both the 100m and 200m, with times of 9.69 seconds and 19.26 seconds, respectively, is being recognised for his contribution to athletics and philanthropy.

Gardner, who was part of the only Jamaican team to qualify for a FIFA Men’s World Cup, in France 1998, and a former national Under-20 men’s team head coach, will receive the Order of Distinction (Officer Class), the same category as Powell, for their contributions to their respective sport.

Davis will also receive the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) while Ellis will receive the Badge of Honour for his contribution to sports, particularly horse racing.