Jackson has unfinished business with shortest sprint
Published:Sunday | January 29, 2023 | 1:32 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
AFTER A monumental 2022, World 200-metre champion, Shericka Jackson, says she is neither daunted nor feeling any pressure about repeating in 2023.
Still, among her goals in 2023, is a matter of unfinished business, hitting the 10.60-second mark in the 100m.
Jackson opened her season at the Queens/Grace Jackson Meet yesterday at the National Stadium with a comfortable 400m win, clocking 53.11 seconds.
GC Foster College’s Odeisha Nanton was second in 55.37, while Christine Cheka was third in 55.78.
Jackson’s second season competing the sprint double saw her win silver at the World Championships last July in 10.73 and capture her first major global individual title, winning the 200m in a championship record 21.45, the second-fastest time in history.
Last year, MVP Track Club coach Stephen Francis projected a “super 2023” in the 100m, given her improved knowledge of the event.
Jackson hopes that it culminates in hitting the sub-10.70 mark, a goal that she missed out on last year.
“That was my target last year. I wanted to run 10.60 and I didn’t run 10.60. But to finish with the sixth-fastest time (of all time) and not run 10.60 was just a great feeling. So for me, I think I have a lot more in me for the 100m. So it is just to focus on executing a good 100m and definitely, the fast times will come,” Jackson said.
Her accomplishments, however, have not increased the weight of expectations for her, personally, as she says she is only focused on hitting her goals.
NO PRESSURE
“For me, it is no pressure. I believe coach and I did a pretty good job last year. And for us, it is to stay focused. Not to focus on what others expect but his expectations and my expectations. Once I am healthy, I will definitely want to go super fast and I will run super fast, so no pressure,” Jackson said.
Her run over the one-lap event where she was specialist was routine. The effort indicated there was some good background work ahead of this season, even though Jackson was hoping for a faster time.
“Training has been going well. I just wanted to come out here and run a good 400m. It was probably not the time that I wanted but I am healthy and I am good to go again. So I am just excited,” Jackson assessed.
Having the second-fastest time in history in the 200m and the sixth-fastest time in the 100m have brought into focus the possibility of breaking world records held by America’s Florence Gritffths-Joyner. But Jackson is not making it a priority.
“For me it’s not to focus about breaking any world record. It’s just to stay healthy and to execute a good 100m or 200m and when the time comes, it will come,” Jackson said.
Jackson will open her indoor season next Saturday at the New Balance Indoor Track Meet, competing in the 60m against World and Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.