Another BIG run by Jackson

World 200 metres champion Shericka Jackson produced a brilliant run at the yesterday’s Allianz Memorial Van Damme Diamond League in Brussels but the world record 21.34 seconds for the half-lap event, set in 1988 by American Florence Griffith Joyner, remains in the record books.

Jackson won the event in 21.48 seconds and although she missed the world record, her winning time was the fourth-fastest ever and good enough to erase Merlene Ottey’s 34 year-old 21.64 meet record. Anthonique Strachan (22.31) of the Bahamas and Jenna Prandini (22.47) of the United States ended second and third, respectively.

“Racing here today was very good. I am very happy with my race. For me, personally, this was good, and especially in front of such an amazing crowd. You just have to put in your best, and that’s what I did today,” Jackson said after the race. She will be hoping to get closer to the world record in her final race in Eugene, Oregon next weekend.

Jackson’s 200m victory was one of four for Jamaica at the meet. Elaine Thompson Herah, Rusheen McDonald and Shanieka Ricketts also won their events.

Five-time Olympic champion Thompson Herah made it back-to-back wins in the 100m, following her victory in Switzerland on Monday with a season’s best 10.86 seconds. She improved on her previous best of 10.92 to be the third-fastest Jamaican in the event this season, and sixth-fastest in the world. World Championships 4x100m silver medallist Natasha Morrison was second in a season’s best 10.95, with Dina Asher Smith of Great Britain third in 10.97. Jamaica’s Shashalee Forbes ended fifth in 11.17.

“It was a tough season but I’m glad that I’m back in my sprinting form. A couple of nights ago, I ran 10.92 in Bellinoza and I’m happy to improve on that tonight. I feel healthy and, in tonight’s race, I was able to keep swinging and punching until the finish line,” said Thompson Herah .

Ricketts produced a personal best 15.01 metres to take top spot in the triple jump and was very happy with her effort.

“It was amazing. I had no idea I was capable of jumping this far tonight, as I competed in Italy only two days ago. To go over the 15m mark for the first time legally, I am over the moon,” Ricketts said.

World Championships silver medallist Maryna Bekh Romanchuk of Ukraine ended second with 14.57m, as Thea Lafond of Dominica took third with 14.57m. Jamaica’s Kimberly Williams finished fifth with 13.96m.

Competing in the final event of the meet, McDonald captured the men’s 400m in 44.87 seconds for his fifth sub-45 seconds clocking of the season. McDonald was fast out of the blocks and held off the late surge of Alexander Ogando of the Dominican Republic, who was second in 44.93.

Janieve Russell finally got the better of countrywoman Rushell Clayton since beating her at the National Senior Championships. Russell finished second in the 400m hurdles in 53.80 seconds as Clayton took third in 54.10. World Champion Femke Bol of the Netherlands won in a meet record 52.11 while Andrenette Knight, the other Jamaican in the event, ended sixth in 54.42.

Jamaica’s Candice McLeod was fifth in the women’s 400m in 50.82 seconds. Cynthia Bolingo of Belgium won in 50.09 ahead of Lieke Klaver (50.16) of the Netherlands, and Shamier Little of the United States, third in 50.58.

The meet was highlighted by a world record run from Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway in the rarely run men’s 2000m. Ingebrigtsen, who suffered a shock defeat in the 1500m final in Budapest, clocked 4: 43.13 for a comprehensive win. The old record was 4:44.79 set by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco.