Unstoppable Speed: Jamaica’s Jackson Claims Title for Fastest Women’s 100m of the Year
KINGSTON: Shericka Jackson Sets Personal Best and World-Leading Time in Women’s 100m at Jamaican Championships
In a remarkable performance at the Jamaican championships, Shericka Jackson secured her women’s 100m title and booked her spot at the upcoming World Athletics Championship in Budapest this summer. Jackson blazed through the finish line in a personal best and world-leading time of 10.65 seconds, making it the fifth-fastest time ever recorded.
Jackson, who claimed the silver medal at last year’s World Championships in Oregon, now shares the fifth spot on the all-time list with American sprinter Marion Jones. Her astonishing run also surpassed the previous fastest time of the year, set by American athlete Sha’Carrie Richardson with a 10.71 at the US championships.
With Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the defending world champion, holding a wild card entry, Jamaica will be represented by four exceptional runners in the women’s 100m event at the World Championships in August.
During the competition, Jackson encountered favorable conditions with a legal wind speed of 1.0m/sec. Shashalee Forbes delivered an impressive performance as well, securing second place with a new personal best time of 10.96, while Natasha Morrison claimed the third spot in 10.98.
Elaine Thompson-Herah, the two-time Olympic sprint double champion, finished in fifth place with a time of 11.06 seconds.
Reflecting on her achievement, an elated Jackson attributed her success to improving her start, an aspect she had been working on with coach Paul Francis. She expressed satisfaction with her performance, stating, “Tonight, I did a very good job.”
Despite her outstanding performance, Jackson acknowledged the need for further improvement in her finishing technique ahead of the World Championships. Addressing the matter, she commented, “I think the ending needs a little fixing. I know I’m a strong finisher, but I still need to work on that a bit because I made a misstep. Coach and I will continue working on my stride pattern going forward. It’s been tough transitioning from the 400 meters to the 100 meters since 2021.”
Jackson’s exceptional achievement has positioned her as a formidable contender for the upcoming World Athletics Championship, as she aims to further refine her skills and continue her outstanding athletic career.
