“No complaints” - Shericka Jackson ­savouring three medals mined in Doha

Shericka Jackson came home after the London World Championships in 2017 bitterly disappointed in her performance. She failed to medal in the women’s 400m and was part of the 4x400m relay team that did not finish the race.

She arrived last night at the Norman Manley International Airport after the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, with a smile and three precious pieces of hardware to her name. As an added bonus, she won the most medals out of all the athletes on her team. But Jackson was more pleased with the way she performed at this year’s championships compared to two years ago.

“I just went to the World Championships to give it my best, and I came out with three medals,” she said, speaking to reporters. “I am happy, so I can’t complain. I went there to do my best, and I delivered, and I am grateful.

“In 2017, I had to sit on the steps and wait to see if I made the semi-final. I made the final this time around, and I got a bronze medal and a personal best, so I am extremely grateful.”

Jackson ran a personal best of 49.47 seconds to claim bronze in the women’s 400m final, and was among the five women who set new personal bests in that event. She added another bronze to her collection in the women’s 4x400m relay, but the highlight for her was running the anchor leg of the women’s 4x100m relay final to win gold in a world-leading time of 41.44 seconds. It was an opportunity that she had wanted for a while, and she was told that she would get her chance on the eve of the 400m final.

“I knew that I was going to run the relay before the 400m final, and I was pretty excited,” she said. “I always wanted to run a 4x100m relay for Jamaica, especially the anchor leg, so I got that opportunity, and I delivered for the team, and I am grateful.”

The joy of powering Jamaica towards the title is something that she hopes that she will get to feel again in another major championships, and with the 2020 Olympics just nine months away, Jackson says that she is ready for that responsibility if she is called upon. But now, she is just happy to be back home after being away since June.

“If I get the opportunity to run another 4x100m for Jamaica, I will always give it my best for my country. I definitely want that ­opportunity again,” she said.