Shericka Jackson of Jamaica clocks second fastest time ever to win 200m gold

Shericka Jackson of Jamaica became the second fastest woman in 200m history on Thursday evening at the World Athletics Championships. She continued her breakout season, clocking 21.46s to claim the ultimate prize of world champion in the 200m final.

Jackson’s time bettered the championship record of 21.63 seconds, set by Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands in 2015; it is also a national record, Hayward Field record and U.S. soil record.

She got out of the blocks quickly, but found herself behind her teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce at the bend. Jackson caught speed over the final 100m to win and became only the second woman, joining Florence Griffith-Joyner, to break 21.50 seconds in the event. Griffith-Joyner ran the record of 21.34 at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

The 100m world champion, Fraser-Pryce, won silver in a season’s best time of 21.81, and Team GB’s Dina Asher-Smith, the defending champion, captured bronze in 22.02.

“My first gold medal, my first national record, a personal best and a world championship,” Jackson told the media after the race. “I’m so grateful.”

Jackson was the favourite heading into the final after clocking a world-leading time of 21.55 seconds at June’s Jamaican national championships. This is the first individual gold medal at a major championship for Jackson.

The reigning Olympic 200m champion, Elaine Thompson-Herah, came across the line in seventh place in 22.39, which is the best mark-for-place at Worlds.

The 2022 World Athletics Championships are taking place from July 15-25 from Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. All the action will be brought to you by Canadian Running and Asics Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.