Leah Nugent (born 23 November 1992) is a hurdles runner from Jamaica. She was born in Pennsylvania, USA, with strong family heritage ties to Jamaica, from her father and paternal grandparents. Her father moved to the United States before having Leah. Leah is a University of Kentucky graduate, having also competed for and later served as a volunteer coach for the Kentucky Wildcats track and field team. Leah notes that it has always been her heart to represent Jamaica, because her father is from there along with her other immediate family.
Leah switched her allegiance from the United States of America to Jamaica in 2016, in which at that point she finished third at the Jamaica National Senior Championships which resulted in her acceptance into the 2016 Summer Olympics. She placed sixth in the 400 metres hurdles event at the 2016 Summer Olympics, setting a personal record.
Progression - Outdoor Source: +100 Metres HurdlesDatePerformanceWindPlace24 April 201113.64 -1.0Greensboro, NC26 April 201413.29 -0.3Philadelphia, PA17 June 201513.11 +1.2Gainesville, FL +400 Metre HurdlesDatePerformancePlace23 April 20091:00.05Philadelphia, PA22 April 201059.15Philadelphia, PA18 June 201157.72Greensboro, NC16 May 201456.97Lexington, KY1 August 201555.63Atlanta (Emory University), GA18 August 201654.45Rio de Janeiro (Estadio Olimpico)23 June 201754.45Kingston (NS), JAM
Progression - Indoor Source: +60 MetresDatePerformancePlace16 January 20167.39Lexington, KY +400 MetresDatePerformancePlace5 February 201653.09Blacksburg, VA +60 Metres HurdlesDatePerformancePlace1 March 20148.20College Station, TX13 February 2015 8.22Fayetteville, AR21 January 20177.96Lexington, KY
International competitions Representing 2016Olympic GamesRio de Janeiro, Brazil6th400 m hurdles54.452017World ChampionshipsLondon, United Kingdom14th (sf)400 m hurdles56.192018NACAC ChampionshipsToronto, Canada5th400 m hurdles55.742021Olympic GamesTokyo, Japan –400 m hurdlesDQ
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