Jamaican Shericka Jackson sprints to 100 meters world leader with 5th time ever

World Championship silver medalist Shericka Jackson blitzed Friday with an eye-watering world=leading 10.65 seconds (wind +1.0 meters per second) in the women’s 100 meters to become the joint fifth-fastest woman of all time.

Jackson was royal as she easily secured her second national 100m title on the second day of the JAAA National Junior and Senior Championships to secure her spot at the World Championships in Athletics in Budapest this summer.

Racecourse five, Jackson, the reigning 200m world champion, exploded off the block and led from wire to tape for an easy win ahead of Shashalee Forbes 10.96 seconds and Natasha Morrison 10.98.

Back-to-back Olympic double sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who has struggled with an injury this season, stopped the clock in a season-best 11.06 in fifth place.

Jackson, who was shocked to learn she had moved up to number five all time, said the big difference maker got off to a good start.

“I told them last year that one of my biggest problems was the start. I think I’ve got it down tonight, but I have to go back to the drawing board with the coach. [Paul Francis]but tonight I did really well,” Jackson told Reuters.

Despite the huge career best, Jackson pointed out a problem that needs improvement before Budapest.

“I think the ending needs a little tweaking,” she reasoned.

“I know I’m a strong finisher, but I still need to work on that a little bit because I made a misstep, so the coach and I will continue to work on my stepping pattern going forward. It was hard to get off the 400 meter to the 100 meters since 2021,” Jackson told Reuters.

Jackson’s training partner, little-known 21-year-old Rohan Watson stunned his more seasoned campaigners with 9.91 seconds (wind +1.1 meters per second) to win the men’s equivalent.