On Friday, August 25, Shericka Jackson successfully defended her women’s 200-meter crown at the 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
The Jamaican broke her own championship record from a year ago by recording 21.41 while leading at the curve and easing clear as the field headed the home straight.
Aside from Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 21.34 at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, that is the second-fastest time in history.
Jackson, who finished second to Richardson in the short sprint, was the image of calm as she walked onto the track after being announced last.
She even took her time walking back to the starting blocks from the bend as her competitors waited for the on-track introductions.
The 29-year-old got out to a strong start in lane six and swiftly passed Julien Alfred of St. Lucia.
As the fans watched the most forceful of title defends, she surged passed Thomas and Richardson outside of her on the turn.
Who is Shericka Jackson?
Shericka Jackson is a Jamaican track and field athlete known for her impressive sprinting prowess. Born on July 16, 1994, in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica, she has risen to prominence as a medal-winning sprinter on the international stage.
Jackson specializes in the 400 meters and relays. Her breakthrough came during the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she won a bronze medal as a member of Jamaica’s 4×400 meters relay team. This achievement marked her introduction to the global athletics scene and hinted at her potential for future success.
Continuing her momentum, Jackson secured her first individual medal at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar. She claimed the bronze medal in the women’s 400 meters, showcasing her ability to perform at the highest level in individual events.
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One of her most remarkable achievements came in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jackson had an exceptional performance, winning the silver medal in the women’s 100 meters. This was a significant accomplishment for her, as it demonstrated her versatility as a sprinter and her ability to compete with some of the fastest athletes in the world.
In addition to her individual success, Shericka Jackson has been a key contributor to Jamaica’s success in relay events. She has been a member of Jamaica’s 4×100 meters and 4×400 meters relay teams, which have often performed exceptionally well on the international stage.
