Shericka Jackson: ‘I definitely feel like I´m getting there, closer to that (World) record’
Jamaican breaks 21.50 for the third time in her career to win Brussels 200m event
World 200m champion, Shericka Jackson failed to fulfil her pre-race promise of going for the 21.34 world 200m record set by American sprinter, Florence
Griffith-Joyner at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 but the Jamaican is optmistic she is getting closer after running 21.48 to set a new Diamond League record at
the Allianz Memorial Van Damme in Brussels, Belgium Friday evening.
It was Jackson’s third run inside 21.50 seconds after running 21.45 to win her first World title in Oregon, USA last year and 21.41 to successfully defend
her title in Budapest, Hungary last month.
The 29 year old now holds the second, third and fourth fastest times over the distance and she is confident she can become the second woman to break 21.40
and break the world record.
‘Running here today was very good. I am very happy with my race. For me personally it is just to show up and especially in front of such an amazing crowd,’
said the Jamaican who revealed, post race, that she gave her all in the race she won ahead of Anthonique Strachan of the Bhamas (22.31)and two-time NCAA
champion, Jenna Prandinni of the USA (22.47).
She added: ‘You just have to put in your best and that´s what I did today. It felt really good tonight, I definitely feel like I´m getting there, closer to
that record. But it´s also important to have some fun and I really had fun tonight.
‘It´s amazing to run against such a strong field and everyone did good tonight but for me personally it´s important to have fun. And you know the crowd was
just really loud and supportive and I really love that.
‘It helps with the sprinting and I´m really enjoying the sprinting. Life recently is very good for me and I had the same feeling this evening. I am loving it
here, I run here since 2016 I think and I enjoy it everytime! ‘Even if I didn´t win.’
Jackson has one more chance to break that record this season and that will be at the Diamond League final in Eugene, Oregon, USA next weekend.
‘It has been a good season and I hope to get one more win and to get closer to that record.’
