By Sulayman Bah
Gambian boxer Badou Jack will compete footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovich for the Swedish athlete of the year 
award 2015.
Jack made the short list of nominees carefully scrutinised by judges in the wake of his jaw-dropping performances this year in the ring.
Badou, 29, left the world astonished after climbing his way to history securing the Super middle weight Champion belt.
Dubbed The Ripper, Badou beat off stiff rivalry from Dirrel to the belt consequently making him the first Gambian to reach such heights.
That was followed by another impressive outing, defending his belt in the first attempt against George Groves.
Born in Sweden to a Gambian parent, Badou is more identified with his father’s homeland –Gambia.
Such display of affection is shown even in the ring when he insisted on getting the Gambian colours emblazoned on sides of his boxing shorts before he signed for Mayweather’s The Money Team.
Already he talks of planning a visit to Gambia in December to rejoice with fans over his recent successes.
Securing the Swedish Athlete of the Year Award will cap off an already splendid season, he will however need to beat holder Zlatan Ibrahimovich –who had won it four times running –and two others.
