Shericka Jackson gave Florence Griffith Joyner’s long-standing world 200m record of 21.34 another scare as the Jamaican stormed to victory on Friday in Budapest in 21.41 (0.1).
It was a championship record – beating the 21.45 she ran 12 months ago in Eugene – in addition to being the second-quickest time in history and the fastest for 35 years.
The 29-year-old had written down two predicted times for herself before the race, too. One of them was 21.40 but she did not reveal the other time. “Let’s just say it was faster than 21.4,” she smiled.
Was she therefore disappointed not to break the world record? “Definitely not,” she said. “I am grateful to run a personal best and championship record. I’m healthy and super grateful.”
After coming off the turn with a lead and striding down the home straight with power and purpose, Jackson won by around five metres from Gabby Thomas, the American clocking 21.81 in second place before visibly opening her mouth in awe when she saw the results flash up.
Sha’Carri Richardson, also of the United States, finished third just a few days after beating Jackson to 100m gold. She clocked 21.92 and looked more than satisfied with her second medal of the week, with more to possibly come in the sprint relay.
Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia was fourth in 22.05 with Britain’s Daryll Neita fifth in a PB of 22.16.
Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas was sixth in 22.29 with Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, the bronze medallist 12 months ago and gold medallist in 2019, seventh in 22.34, whereas Marie-Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast followed in eighth.
Jackson now has three of the five fastest times in history and said: “I ran a good race tonight. 21.41 is a time I cannot complain about. It feels good that, even though I used to run 400m, I can still do a very good 100m and 200m.
“I feel like I am a living testimony that you can create something if you really want it and never give up. Even if I was pretty close to the world record it was not the thing on my mind when I ran. I will continue to work and I hope I can maintain at least this level. We will see if the world record will come.”
Source: AW