2023: The year Jackson overtook Ottey with most sub-22s in history

SHERICKA JACKSON’S pursuit of the 200-metre world record didn’t quite hit the target. Jackson closed the gap between her best and the 1988 mark by American Florence Griffith-Joyner – 21.34 seconds – to 0.07 and the chase will have to continue.

However, she didn’t end the 2023 season empty handed. In fact, the record chase has made Jackson the most prolific sub-22 runner in track and field history.

The MVP Track Club star zipped past the 22-second benchmark seven times and brought her career total of such performances to 17. That’s one more than attained by the legendary Merlene Ottey during her exemplary career.

It’s the second time in recent years that Ottey has been overtaken by a countrywoman in a prime statistical category. Her total of 67 sub-11 100 metre runs had been the gold standard for more than 15 years until Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce pulled even and away.

Now Fraser Pryce leads the world with 82 sub-11s.

Jackson’s interest in the 200-metre record seemed to ignite in Budapest, Hungary, where she defended her World Championships title in 21.41 seconds. After a little break, she went at it in Zurich – 21.82 – and Brussels – 21.48 seconds.

That brought her to 16-all with Ottey, who had long been the leader in sub-22 mass production.

Then Jackson broke the deadlock with a controlled run at the Diamond League final in Eugene, Oregon, site of her first world title, stopping the clock at 21.57 seconds.

TIMES UNDER 22 SECS

Jackson’s seven times under the 22 second threshold in 2023 reads 21.98 in Rabat, 21.71 to win the Jamaican Championships, 21.86 in Monaco, the aforementioned 21.41 in Budapest, and 21.82, 21.48, and 21.57 in Zurich, Brussels, and Eugene, respectively.

The 29-year-old Jackson has come a long way since her first sub-22, a second-place run at the 2021 Jamaican Championships timed 21.82 seconds.

Ottey is well clear of Americans Marion Jones, 11, and 1992 Olympic champion Gwen Torrence, 10, on the all-time sub-22 mass-production list. However, there are a few other women who could sprint their way up through the list.

Olympic and World medal winner Gabby Thomas already has nine sub-22 times, and Elaine Thompson Herah, the third fastest woman over the distance in history, has seven.

Their continued presence may persuade meet organisers to include the 200 metres more often as public interest in the discipline grows.