Fraser-Pryce wants to continue to test her limits
Published:Sunday | July 24, 2022 | 12:09 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
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EUGENE, Oregon: FIVE-TIME WORLD 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s legacy among the greatest sprinters in history is already secured. But the fire still burns in the 35-year-old and, with her consistent performances, and after winning her 13th...
EUGENE, Oregon:
FIVE-TIME WORLD 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s legacy among the greatest sprinters in history is already secured. But the fire still burns in the 35-year-old and, with her consistent performances, and after winning her 13th World Championship medal, she says she has to test the limits of her abilities even further.
Fraser-Pryce’s latest medal came in the women’s 200m final, a silver that came on account of a season’s best 21.81 seconds. She finished behind Shericka Jackson, who won her maiden global individual title in a championship record time, 21.45.
Having won the world title on Sunday in a championship record of 10.67, when combined with her 200m time, Fraser-Pryce is motivated to continue to explore just what is possible.
How far I can go
“Sometimes we get an opportunity and we think that this is it, we just pack it up. (But) I really think that I owe it to myself to see how far I can go as a sprinter and continue to transcend what I thought was possible for women, especially after having a baby and after turning 30,” Fraser-Pryce said in Thursday’s post-game press conference.
“To be here, still competing at the level that I am, is just a blessing.”
She had to work for that medal though. Despite a short turnaround time from her 100m exploits, Fraser-Pryce shot from the blocks like a cannon to give herself a chance. She knew Jackson would close fast.
“I felt heavy. I was really tired mentally but I talked myself into this run. I knew that it was going to be a tall order to come out here and do something special. But I’m really glad that I competed,” Fraser-Pryce said.
“I ran that corner and I got straight and I held on for dear life because I knew Shericka was behind me. After seeing her run in Kingston, I knew she was in great shape for this 200m and I just wanted to make sure that I had a good run.”
Fraser-Pryce reflected on her 13th World Championship medal with pride (she would go on to win a 14th medal in the women’s 4x100 metres last night) but also showed no sign of dampening the competitive spirit which has her competing at the highest level, even at the age of 35.
“For me, I have worked really hard and I have always believed in myself. I couldn’t care less what anybody thinks about what I need to do or when I should hang up my spikes or any of that. I am so focused on transcending my abilities and making sure that, every time I step out on the line to compete, I am going to compete aggressively,” she said.