‘One step at a time’

AFTER A season opener that indicates Shericka Jackson will challenge the world over the shortest of the sprints, the World Champion in the 200 metres is instead, focusing on her own improvement.

Jackson stormed to a world-leading time of 10.82 seconds on Saturday at Velocity Fest 13 inside the National Stadium, erasing America’s Aleia Hobbs’ 10.86 effort, which she clocked earlier that day.

Her 2022 accomplishments were further celebrated on Monday night as she was named a Distinguished awardee, celebrating the accomplishments of women in different fields, an honour that she does not take lightly.

“It’s a good feeling to be recognised for my hard work last year and I just want to continue working hard and it will definitely pay off,” Jackson told The Gleaner.

Since switching to the sprint double three years ago, it is the first time that she has gone sub-11 to start the season and made it look effortless to boot. For her, the effortless speed is a sign of the improvements she has made in her technique.

“It is my fastest season opener. Last year I finished my season with 10.8 and now I open my season with 10.8. It was definitely a good opener for me. I told one of my teammates that I would run 10.79, but I got 10.82. So I am extremely grateful,” Jackson said.

“I think coach (Paul Francis) has been doing a lot of different things and it has been working out well. A lot of people have been saying that I was not running at all. But I was. I ran 10.80. I think my technique has changed a bit and it shows. That is why it may have looked effortless.”

MVP coach Stephen Francis predicted a “super season” for Jackson in the 100m last season based on her improved knowledge of the discipline, although he did not say whether that super season would include getting to the sub-10.7 mark.

The perception from a 10.82-second season opener is that Jackson is in the conversation for World 100-metre title to add to the 200 bow she enjoyed last year.

Still, her only goal is to focus on what she can control, especially given the fact that there will likely be a very strong field to contend with.

“I have always said this. I like to focus on what I am doing one step at a time. There are a lot of talented people running and you don’t know who will show up. So for me, personally, it’s to focus on what I can do. Focus on my lane,” Jackson said. I have a bye for the 200m, but I know for the 100m, I don’t. So my goal is to run a solid 100m. I just want to put a solid 100m together because I think the 200m will fall right into place,” Jackson said.

Jackson will have an opportunity to gauge her form against a stacked field on May 5 when she opens her 2023 Diamond League season against opponents like Sha’Carri Richardson and Dina Asher-Smith in the women’s 100m in Doha.

Despite the ease with which she seemed to go faster than anyone in this world this year, Jackson says that there is room for improvement.

“It’s just to focus on each race and improve the technique. There is a lot to be worked on. Coach (Francis) saw the 100m on Saturday. So there is a lot we are going to work on from there.”

The Distinguished awards gala was sponsored by Mastercard, Scotia Investments, JAM-DEX, Port Authority of Jamaica, S Hotel, ATL Automotive, Sygnus, Grace Foods, Key Insurance, DRT Communications Limited, Dynamic Events, MoBay City Run, Spanish-Jamaican Foundation, Royalton, Baileys, Massy Distribution, Lifespan, Hema Luxe, P.A. Benjamin, Wendy’s, CPJ, Flow, In Good Company, British Caribbean Insurance Company and The Jamaica Pegasus.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com