Richardson at peace after big win over Jackson
Published:Saturday | May 6, 2023 | 12:50 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
In their first Diamond League meeting for the season, American Sha’Carri Richardson got the better of World 200 metres champion Shericka Jackson showing signs of having a strong season in her third year on the circuit.
Richardson won the 100m event in yesterday’s 2023 Diamond League season opener in Doha, Qatar, clocking a meet record and world-leading time of 10.76 seconds. Jackson finished second in 10.85 while former World champion Dina Asher-Smith was third in 10.95. Richardson’s performance bested the old mark of 10.80 set by the late three-time Olympic medallist Tori Bowie in 2016. Bowie died earlier this week at the age of 32.
Jackson had clocked 10.82 two weeks ago in Kingston to open her 100m campaign, the first time that she has clocked sub-11 seconds to start a season in her three years competing professionally in the 100m. Richardson began her season with victories in Florida, clocking a wind-assisted 10.57 on April 8. Richardson says that the performance has made her content with how her season has gone so far.
‘I HAD TO DO MY BEST’
“I’m so blessed and thankful. I feel at peace. All I do is the best I do and I’m excited to do it. Like I said before, I had to be kicked out of another 100m race (previously). So I had to do my best no matter what. Peace love and life,” Richardson said after the race.
Jackson’s 10.85 performance is the first time that she had clocked back-to-back sub-11-second performances to start a season in her three seasons competing at the distance. She had her first sub-11 clocking in her fourth race of the 2022 season and her third race of the 2021 season.
Among the other Jamaicans in action in the Diamond League season opener, World Championships 4x400m relay silver medallists Candice McLeod and Stephenie Ann McPherson finished fifth and sixth in the 400m clocking 52.43 and 52.93, respectively. McPherson’s performance was her first 400m outing of the season while McLeod was competing in her second 400m race of the campaign. On Instagram McLeod said that she was pleased to put together a run despite not feeling well in the lead-up to the race.
“After seven days of diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach pain “bacteria” I am happy to be back on my feet. Not as strong but grateful. Nevertheless thanks for the continuous support. Time to head home and recover well. See y’all soon,” McLeod said.
World Championship silver medallist Marleidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic won the women’s 400m in 50.51 seconds with American Shamer Little clocking 50.84 for second while Natalia Kaczmarek of Poland was third in 51.64.
Last year’s World Championship bronze medallist, Sada Williams of Barbados, was fourth in 52.05. Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper finished fourth in the women’s 100m hurdles clocking a season’s best effort of 12.76 seconds and just missing out on a top-three finish. Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho Quinn won the race in 12.48 with Alaysha Johnson (12.66) coming in second and Nia Ali (12.69) finishing third.
The second Diamond League meet is scheduled to take place on May 28 in Rabat, Morocco.