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Jackson cruises into 200m final

Published:Saturday | August 26, 2023 | 12:06 AMKeith McGhie/Contributor
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson (second from right) wins semi-final heat three of the 200 metres in 22.00 seconds ahead of American Sha’Carri Richardson (second left) and Marie-Josee Ta Lou (right) of Cote d’Ivoire at the 2023 World Championships in Bud
Gladstone Taylor
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson (second from right) wins semi-final heat three of the 200 metres in 22.00 seconds ahead of American Sha’Carri Richardson (second left) and Marie-Josee Ta Lou (right) of Cote d’Ivoire at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary yesterday. Richardson clocked 22.20 and Ta Lou, 22.26.

BUDAPEST, Hungary:

Having seen both her teammates bow out in the first two races, defending champion Shericka Jackson cruised through to defend her title in today’s 200-metre final at the 19th World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

The champion from Eugene last summer was drawn in a blockbuster third heat, sandwiched between America’s new World 100-metre speed queen Sha’Carri Richardson and the ever-green Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Cote d’Ivoire, who has had one of the best seasons of her lengthy career.

The Jamaican flyer was rarely in danger of not making the top-two automatic qualifiers, leading off of the bend and able to ease up long before the finish, clocking 22 seconds exactly, as Richardson came up to second and Ta Lou gained a popular ‘fastest non-automatic qualifier’ spot in third.

Kevona Davis, still only 21 and seen as among the next wave of Jamaica’s top sprinters, was joint fastest non-qualifier with 22.34, despite tailing off to fifth in heat two.

Immediately ahead in the same race, Bahamas Anthonique Strachan and USA’s Kayla White immediately pushed the other Jamaican Natalia Whyte (22.52 in heat one) out of a possible final place, having briefly sat in the ‘queue room’ for the next-fastest pair.

Davis, who admitted being affected by nerves before the previous day’s heats, said: “It was much better than yesterday - I was definitely not as nervous as yesterday but wanted to make the final. It’s a learning process for me and, to know that I came here and gave it my all, it just didn’t work out this time.”

Still in contention coming off of the bend, the young Jamaican continued: “I started tying up in the home straight but I’m so grateful for just being here. The experience has made me feel like I’ve grown, and I’m extremely happy about that.”

Whyte finished third behind fastest qualifier Gabby Thomas of the USA (21.97) and Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, in a time of 22.52, but this was never likely to facilitate progression amid three semi-finals of such quality.

“I got exactly what I wanted out of this year in terms of running more and learning the event and getting back on track,” reflected just-turned 26-year old Whyte.

“I ran a personal best (PB) and other races close to my PB, so I can’t be disappointed about the season.

“I’ll be focussing on the 100m and 200m next year, so I’ll be looking forward to that.”

Jackson will be eyeing back-to-back titles, while Richardson is chasing a sprint double when they meet again today at 2.40 p.m.