Source: Jamaica Gleaner
SETTING NO limits for herself where the 100-metre world record is concerned, World Championship 100m silver medallist Shericka Jackson is hoping to continue along her path towards a 100m title when she headlines a strong group of Jamaicans competing at the Wanda Diamond League meet in Silesia, Poland, today.
Jackson, who defended her national sprint double titles last week, will line up in the women’s 100m at 10:53 a.m. Jamaica time, facing off against US national 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson in their first meeting since Doha in May. Sashalee Forbes, who was second at the national championships, will also feature along with Jackson’s MVP teammate, Bahamian Anthonique Strachan.
Jackson is coming off a national championship where she went sub 10.7 for the first time in her career, clocking 10.65 seconds, now the world-leading mark.
At yesterday’s pre-race press conference, she says that while her sprinting career has not been long, achieving the world record mark of 10.49 held by Florence Griffth Joyner for 35 years, is not beyond her.
“I think anything is possible. For me, I don’t limit what I am capable of. Not because I started sprinting two years ago. I think I am capable of anything and once coach and I work on the weak parts and continue to maintain the strengths, I think anything is possible,” Jackson said.
Richardson defeated Jackson in May when she clocked 10.76 in Doha, which was at the time a world-leading mark. Now Jackson hopes to continue the momentum gained from the National Championships in Poland.
“I think that I mastered it at the trials, so it is just building from here. It is just to execute a good 100m here and see the results,” Jackson said.
In the men’s 100m, former world champion Yohan Blake, and Ackeem Blake will line up against reigning world champion Fred Kerley at 9:16 a.m.
Both Jamaicans are coming off disappointing results at the National Championships, with Ackeem edged out of the 100m team and Yohan missing out on both the 100 and 200m teams.
They will have to go fast, with the unbeaten Kerley eyeing a time close to his personal best, 9.76, an improvement on Ronnie Baker’s 9.87-second meet record.
National high jump champion Lamara Distin will make her Diamond League debut at 7:00 a.m. in a field that includes reigning champion Eleanor Patterson and World Championship silver medallist Yaroslava Mahuchikh.
World Championship silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts will clash with reigning world champion Yulimar Rojas for the first time this year in the women’s triple jump at 8:42 a.m.
Candice McLeod and Charokee Young will feature in the women’s 400 metres at 9:04 a.m. The two will face World Championship silver medallist Marileidy Paulino and bronze medallist Sada Williams.
Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper and former world champion Danielle Williams will line up against reigning world champion and world record holder Tobi Amusan in the women’s 100m hurdles at 9:47 a.m.
Natoya Goule Toppin will be in the women’s 800m at 10:27 a.m. with world championship bronze medallist Mary Moraa, and Tyler Mason and Damion Thomas will contest the men’s 110m hurdles.