Richardson has been the undisputed queen in the 100 meters this year, having achieved consistent success in Budapest and Silesia and recently being recognized as number 1 in the 100 meter rankings.
However, Jackson, who specializes in the 200 m, surprised the crowd at Hayward Field when she snatched the crown from Richardson. She clocked 10.70 seconds and clinched the gold in the event. This was followed shortly by Marie-Josée Ta Lou, who came in second place with a time of 10.75 seconds, and Elaine Thompson-Herah who placed third with a time of 10.79 seconds.
As for Richardson, who failed to climb the podium this time, she came in fourth with 10.80 seconds.
But instead of being disappointed, Richardson said that the experience was still amazing to her and that it was a great way to end the season.
“What matters is being whole with myself as an athlete, being a great competitor, executing what it is that I know I can after having an amazing season. I am not mad at all about the time that I did today,” Richardson said.
Jackson in future runs
“Today was amazing, a great end to the season. It just gives me stuff to work on, prepare for the Olympics next year.”
As for Jackson, after this victory, she will compete once again in the Hayward Field for the 200 m event, hoping to break Flo-jo’s world record this time.
“I just wanted to come out here and execute and I think I did pretty good this evening,” Jackson said. “I´m grateful. I´m here, I´m enjoying myself and tomorrow is another competition day.”
Jackson had first laid out her intentions to break the 200m world record of 21.34 seconds at the press conference prior to the start of the Brussels Diamond League.
“Coach and I have spoken, and I think we are going after it this year. I hope to get it tomorrow. If I do, then that would probably ease a little pressure off me going into Eugene.” Jackson said.
“If not, we have another shot in Eugene,” Jackson said. “There is no perfect race, but I just want to run a good race, and once I put everything in place, definitely, because we’re right there. We’re so close, we’re knocking on the door.”
It’s been 35 years since the world’s fastest woman, Flo-Jo, clocked the fastest 200-meter time of all time, 21.34 seconds. Since then, the best female sprinters in the world have tried to break her record but have failed. In the last two years, though, one of the fastest women in the world, Shericka Jackson, has come close. Last month in Budapest, she ran the second fastest time in history, 21.41 seconds, just 0.09 seconds behind the record-holder, Flo-Jo.
After her win in the 100m, people are now wondering how she’ll do in the 200m and if she’ll be able to break the 21.34 seconds record this time around.
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The photo above is from Instagram
