The Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports the Hon. Lovitta Foggo JP MP congratulated Paralympian Jessica Lewis on ending the year holding the #1 world ranking in the women’s 100m T53.
Her time of 16.77 — which she achieved during a race in May in Switzerland – means she has the fastest time achieved by any female T53 sprinter in the world for the entire year.
“Jessica has never been one to shy away from a challenge,” said Minister Foggo. “At only 19-years-old, she became the first Bermudian track and field athlete to qualify for and compete at the Paralympic Games, placing eighth in the 100m, 200m and 400m events at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
“She also holds another accolade of being the first Bermudian to compete at the Para Pan American Games (in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2011). She then represented Bermuda at the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016 finishing sixth in the 100m final, eleventh in the 400m and twelfth in the 800m.
“I want to send her huge congratulations on behalf of the Government of Bermuda for continuing to shine in the sporting world and making Bermuda proud.
“Amidst her career as a professional para-athlete, Jessica is also a motivational speaker and ambassador for the differently abled. It is easy to see why she was named as one of the ‘Most Fascinating People of 2015’.”
In addition to her #1 world ranking in the 100m this year, Lewis is ranked fifth in the Women’s 200m T53 Division and is also ranked 12th in the Women’s 800m T53 Division.