Alia Atkinson

Alia Atkinson is a Jamaican female swimmer born on 11th December 1988. She hails from Saint Andrew in Jamaica. Alia is a Breaststroke specialist and represents her country in 50m and 100m Breaststrokes.

Background:

Alia Atkinson was born to Tweedsmuir Atkinson and Sharon Atkinson. She was born and brought up in Saint Andrew city in Jamaica.

Alia initially picked her interest in athletics and later switched to swimming. She attended Vaz Preparatory school, where she began to pursue competitive swimming. While at high school, she had won multiple medals in Backstroke events especially in 50m and also shattered national records.

In 2007, after graduating from Vaz Preparatory school, Alia moved to the USA to join Texas A&M University, where she became a member of the Texas A&M Aggies swimming team. She had represented them at the Big-12 Championships and NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming Championships.

In 2010, Alia Atkinson graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Psychology. She is currently residing in the USA and trains with the South Florida Swimming Club under the tutelage of Chris Anderson.

Rise to Glory:

Alia Atkinson received her international breakthrough in 2006 when she won four Gold medals in 50m, 100m Breaststrokes, 50m Butterfly, and 200m Medley and a Silver medal in 200m Breaststroke at the CAC Games. In 2007, she made her NCAA debut while representing Texas A&M Aggies at the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming Championships.

In 2010, Alia bagged four Gold medals in 50m, 100m, 200m Breaststrokes, and 200m Medley at the CAC Games. That year, she clinched his only NCAA title in 200m Breaststroke. At the Big-12 Championships, Alia had won six titles in 50m Breaststroke (3) and 100m Breaststroke (3).

In April 2021, Alia clinched three Gold medals in 100y Butterfly, 100y Freestyle, and 100y Breaststroke at the Florida Swimming Championships.

Alia Atkinson holds Jamaican records in 50m, 100m Freestyles, 50m, 100m, 200m Backstrokes, 50m Butterfly, 100m Butterfly, and 200m Individual Medley.

Major Achievements:

Alia Atkinson made her international debut at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she was placed 32nd in 100m Breaststroke Heats. The following year, she competed at the World Aquatics Championships but didn’t go past heats in 50m, 100m, and 200m Breaststrokes.

In 2008, Alia competed in her second Olympics at the Beijing Olympics and finished 25th in the 200m Breaststroke heats. Three years later, in 2011, she won a Silver medal in 200m Medley at the Pan American Games. The following year, she reached the 100m Breaststroke final and finished 4th at the London Olympics.

At the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Alia took home a Silver medal and Bronze in 50m Breaststroke and 100m Breaststroke respectively. In 2015, Alia took home a Silver medal in 100m Breaststroke at the Pan American Games. That year, she won a Silver medal in 50m Breaststroke and a Bronze in 100m Breaststroke at the World Aquatics Championships.

At the World Swimming Championships, Alia bagged four titles in 100m Breaststroke (2014, 2016, and 2018), and 50m Breaststroke (2014), three Silver medals in 100m Breaststroke (2012), and 50m Breaststroke (2014 and 2016) and two Bronze medals in 100m Medley (2016 and 2018). In 2018, she won a Silver medal in 100m Breaststroke at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Alia Atkinson is eyeing an Olympic berth at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and shall compete in the 100m Breaststroke event.