Jackson still eyeing 200m world record

BEIJING, China:

Jamaica's Shericka Jackson still has her sights set on becoming the fastest woman in the world over 200 metres.

The 30-year-old Jackson, the second fastest woman in history over the distance, said she believes she can still break the 37-year-old record of 21.34 set by American Florence 'Flo Jo' Griffith-Joyner at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

She made the comments at a press conference ahead of the Xiamen Diamond League, where she placed second in 22.79 seconds in the 200m on Saturday at the Xiamen Egret Stadium.

Anavia Battle of the United States won in a meet record and season's best 22.41 seconds.

"I will have to check with my coach where I can do better next time," Jackson said after the race.

However, Jackson, who ran 21.41 in 2023, said her main objective was to remain healthy this season.

"For me, I think in 2023 I had a really good shot, and I was brave enough to say it because one time I wasn't brave enough to say 'I wanted to break the world record'.

"It is something that I still have in mind. Do I focus on it? No, but I just take it each step at a time, and I think if it's supposed to be then it will come," Jackson said.

"I just want to stay healthy and once I'm healthy and having some fun, then anything is possible."

Jackson endured a torrid 2024 season, suffering several injuries that led to her pulling out of the Paris Olympics.

"It has been June since I last raced competitively in the 200 metres, so I want to just take my time and work my way back in slowly. I'm not rushing anything," Jackson said.

WILLIAMS WIN

Competing at the same meet, Jamaica's Danielle Williams produced a season's best effort to claim gold in the women's 100-metre hurdles.

The 32-year-old Williams overtook American Grace Stark on the final hurdle to cross the finish line in 12.53 seconds. Stark took silver in 12.58 seconds, with Marione Fourie of South Africa third in 12.62 seconds. World record holder, Nigeria's Tobi Amusan, placed fourth in 12.74 seconds.

The win was Williams' first on the Diamond League circuit since capturing gold in Budapest last year.

"The focus was on the last half of the race, trying to finish strong. I think I did that, so I am satisfied," Williams said after the race.

"Back to training and then Shanghai next weekend. It is early in April, and the season is over in September, so we are not even halfway into the training cycle. It is definitely a good sign."

In other results, Grenada's Olympic and World gold medallist Kirani James finished fourth in the men's 400m in 44.89 seconds, while Rohan Watson of Jamaica clocked 10.31 seconds to place ninth in the men's 100 metres. - CMC