No more 200m for Shelly?

The bell could be tolling for five-time World 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce regarding her future in the 200m, with the likelihood that the shorter sprint will be her sole priority from now on.

Her comments on her plans going forward came after she was crowned RJRGLEANER Sportswoman of the Year for the fifth time on Friday, January 20. During 2022, Fraser-Pryce retained her World 100m title in a championship record 10.67 seconds, clocked seven sub 10.70 times and won the Diamond League 100m title for a fifth time.

She also finished second in the World 200m final in 21.81, the third-fastest time in the world at the distance in 2022.

While in the past she has declared that she would no longer do the double, Fraser-Pryce did not give a clear indication that she would not continue with the 200m. However, she did hint there would not be much of a change in her mind to drop the 200m.

“The double is very hard. It is strenuous. The workload that you need to do it is definitely hard but I don’t know,” Fraser-Pryce said. “I think last year I said that was it. And it may possibly be it for me for real and I’ll just focus on the 100m.”

If it is indeed that Fraser-Pryce will no longer compete in the 200m, she will finish her 200m career as a former World champion (2013), an Olympic silver medallist (2012), a Diamond League winner, as well as having a personal best time of 21.79, the 22nd fastest clocking of all time.

Fraser-Pryce said her 100m performances last year have given her the belief that her goal of running sub 10.6 is within reach,, something that she hopes will happen in 2023.

“I was able to run 10.60 consistently (last season) and that was mind-blowing. And I think that has given me added inspiration and hope to continue to just push because I know that the breakthrough of what I want is right around the corner. S0 I am hoping, with God’s grace and the hard work, that this season will be one of those seasons,” Fraser-Pryce said.