Jackson hunts another big 200m win

AFTER an impressive season opener in the 200 metres at last Saturday's Shanghai Diamond League, Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson is set for another big run in the half-lap event at the second leg of the Diamond League series in Xiamen, China tomorrow when she takes to the track at 6:44 a.m. Jamaica time.

Jackson, the two-time World  200m  champion, was an emphatic  winner after clocking 22.07 seconds, the joint fifth fastest time in the world this season and, based on that first-time 200m run in 2026, could go sub-22 seconds. One of nine Jamaicans down to compete tomorrow, she will once again line up against most of her rivals from last weekend, led by two-time Olympic 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo of The Bahamas, who was second. Also in the line-up are Anavia Battle of the United States, who was third, World 200m silver medallist Amy Hunt of Great Britain, and 2023 World 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson of the United States, who was fourth last week.

Like last Saturday, three Jamaicans, Megan Simmonds, Ackera Nugent and Danielle Williams, will compete in another stacked women’s 100m hurdles line-up, the final event at 7:52 a.m.  All three will be seeking redemption after sub-par performances last week. Simmonds was the best Jamaican with a fourth-place finish, while Nugent was sixth  and Williams failed to finish.

   Four global champions in the event will face the starter. They are led by Olympic champion Masai Russell of the United States, who won last week with a world-leading 12.25 seconds, ahead of three-time World Indoor champion Devynne Charlton of The Bahamas, who recorded a personal best and national record of 12.38. World champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland and three-time Diamond League champion Tobi Amusan of Nigeria are also among the field.

   Lamara Distin will be the other Jamaican female in action at the meet as she contests the women’s high jump at 5:51 a.m.

Rajindra Campbell, the 2024 Olympic Games shot put bronze medallist, will be the first Jamaican in action when he contests the men’s shot put at 5:35 a.m. With a season’s best of 21.72m, he will take on world record holder and three-time Olympic champion Ryan Crouser of the United States, two-time World champion Joe Kovacs, also of the United States, and 2017 World champion Tom Walsh of New Zealand.

Tajay Gayle and Wayne Pinnock, who were sixth and seventh, respectively, in Shanghai, will be hoping for major improvement when they contest the men’s long jump at 6:18 a.m.

World Championships 110m hurdles silver medallist Orlando Bennett will be the only Jamaican male in action on the track. Bennett, who takes to the track at 6:35 a.m., raced to a season’s best 13.20 seconds for fourth place last week. He  will be hoping to go much faster and secure a top-three finish.

Jamaicans in action tomorrow

5:35 a.m:  Men’s Shot Put: Rajindra Campbell

5:51 a.m:   Women’s High Jump: Lamara Distin

6:18 a.m:  Men’s Long Jump: Wayne Pinnock, Tajay Gayle

6:35 a.m:  Men’s 110m Hurdles: Orlando Bennett

6:44 a.m.  Women’s 200m: Shericka Jackson

7:52 a.m: Women’s 100m Hurdles: Ackera Nugent, Megan Tapper, Danielle Williams