Ready for the World!
Jackson upsets strong field in Rome, enters 200m title challenge
Published:Friday | June 10, 2022 | 12:10 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
The first win of the 2022 Diamond League season was also a declaration of a 200 metres World title challenge for Tokyo Olympics 100 metres bronze medallist Shericka Jackson.
In a loaded field that included the double sprint champion from the Tokyo Olympics, Elaine Thompson Herah, reigning World 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain, and Olympic 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo of The Bahamas, Jackson landed the upset, storming to victory in a season’s best and a new meet record of 21.91 seconds at yesterday’s Diamond League meet in Rome. Jackson bested her countrywoman Thompson Herah, who finished second in a season’s best 22.25 while Asher-Smith was third in 22.27.
Jackson’s time is also the second-fastest in the world this year. Only Tokyo Olympics 200m silver medallist Christine Mbomba of Namibia has gone faster with 21.87. With the National Trials two weeks away, Jackson said she was pleased with her performance.
“I am actually feeling very good today. I just wanted to come out and run a strong race, so I think I did pretty good. The thing is, when it comes to Jamaican trials or major championships, I try not to have a different mindset than when I am at a Diamond League meet or a development meet,” Jackson said. “After the (National) trials, and (if) everything goes well, my aim is to add a gold medal to my name,” she added. “I have many individual medals at 400m and 100m, but I need to get that gold medal in any event. This is my aim this season.”
GOOD RACE
Thompson Herah ,while acknowledging there are still improvements to be made, says that she is satisfied with her performance.
“This race was a good one. I ran a season’s best, I cannot complain,” she said. “I still have to work on some stuff. Now, I concentrate on my nationals and I am looking forward to the World Championships.”
With her time, Thompson Herah replaced her national teammate Kevona Davis as the ninth fastest woman in the 200m this year.
Britany Anderson finished second in the women’s 100m hurdles in a season’s best of 12.50, pushing Tokyo Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn to the line, who won in a meet record and world-leading time of 12.37. Former World champion Danielle Williams came fifth in 12.90 and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Megan Tapper was seventh in 13.08. Anderson said that she was pleased to recover, despite a difficult start.
“My start was bad because I was last after the start. And my finish was not good either, because I hit the hurdle. But, despite that, I am happy to come out with a season’s best. It is a good track here. I love the crowd,” Anderson said. “I definitely want to come back here (to Rome).”
Janieve Russell finished second in the women’s 400m hurdles, in 54.18, a race which was won by Femke Bol of the Netherlands in a season’s best 53.02. World championship bronze medallist Rushell Clayton came fifth in a season’s best 54.80.
Meanwhile, Christopher Taylor was fifth in 45.47 in the men’s 400m, his second race of the season at the distance. Former World and Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada won in 44.54, ahead of Americans Vernon Norwood (44,81) and Michael Cherry (45.24).
Natoya Goule placed sixth in the women’s 800m in 1:59.54 minutes. The race was won by Olympic champion Athing Mu of the United States, in a world-leading time of 1:57.01.
Nigel Ellis was fourth in the men’s 100m in 10.17, a race that saw Americans sweep the podium led by 2021 Diamond League champion Fred Kerley in a season’s best 9.92. Kyree King was second in 10.14 and Cravont Charleston third, in 10.17.