by Sam Fariss
Brussels Diamond League: Shericka Jackson back on top
By Sam Fariss
BRUSSELS – With just a week until the Diamond League finals, Shericka Jackson came storming into the Brussels DL meeting. While Sha’Carri Richardson was not in the 200-meter line-up. Jackson still faced tough competition going up against the likes of American Jenna Prandini and Bahamian Anthonique Strachan.
Jackson, winning the 200-meter race in Budapest a couple of weeks prior but losing the 100-meter competition to Richardson, seemed to be at the top of her game as she won the sprint event by nearly a full second.
Earning a Diamond League and meeting record with her time of 21.48 seconds, Jackson flew past the likes of Strachan and Prandini.
“It felt really good tonight, I definitely feel like I’m getting there, closer to that record,” Jackson said. “It’s amazing to run against such a strong field and everyone did good tonight but for me personally, having fun is important.”
Prandini finished in 3rd place with a time of 22.47 seconds, while Strachan crossed in 22.31 seconds for 2nd place. Strachan is currently ranked 6th in the world so she is qualified to compete in Eugene. However, Prandini dropped to 11th place this season and will most likely not compete at her alma mater.
In the pre-meet press conference, Jackson shared that she was attempting to break the world record in the women’s 200 meters.
“Once I put everything into place, then definitely cause we’re right there,” Jackson said. “We’re so close, we’re knocking on the door.”
The world record holder in the event is Florence Griffith Joyner, better known as FloJo. The American set the WR at 21.34 seconds at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, where she also set the then 100-meter world record of 10.49 seconds.
Jackson will try for the record again in Eugene next week and possibly be racing against her rival, Richardson.
Richardson is currently ranked #1 in the women’s 100-meter standings. Richardson and compatriot Noah Lyles both shocked the world earlier this week by announcing that they will be
competing at the Diamond League finals, despite most track fans expecting them not to. Lyles and Richardson have competed in the 100 and 200 meters this season.
“Yah, we not done yet,” Lyles shared on Twitter.
