Jamaican Star Not In Top Form Two And A Half Months Out From Olympic Games

By David Woods for DyeStat

Photos courtesy Marta Gorczynska/Diamond League

Is it too early to wonder about Shericka Jackson?

The 29-year-old Jamaican won the 200 meters Sunday in the Diamond League meet at Marrakech, Morocco.

But her time of 22.82 seconds was far from world class. That would have placed eighth Saturday at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix.

“About the time? Time is what it is,” Jackson said. “I tried to focus on my technique and execution. I think I did good.

“Next, I don’t know. For me, it is only the start of the season. I don’t know about the next race. And it is too early to talk about the events I will do at the Paris Olympics.”

Elsewhere, Prudence Sekgodiso ran to a world lead in the 800 meters, Alexander Doom won the 400, and throwers Mykolas Alekna and Chase Jackson continued to produce big marks.

Jackson did not resemble the sprinter who is the second-fastest woman ever – 21.41 from last year’s World Championships – and owns five Olympic medals plus 11 world medals. This was her first 200 since clocking 21.57 in September’s Diamond League final at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Notably, Jackson did run in the 22.80s or 22.90s around this time of year in 2021, 2022 and 2023 – although those were in heats at Jamaican championships.

Sekgodiso, a 22-year-old South African, slipped past Ethiopia’s Habitam Alemu on the rail and clocked 1:57.26 in the 800. Previous world lead was 1:57.56 by Uganda’s Halimah Naakaayi at L.A. Saturday. Alemu’s time was 1:57.70.

In the men’s 800, 19-year-old Emmanuel Wanyoni won in 1:43.84, compared to his world lead of 1:43.57.

Doom, the world indoor champion from Belgium, closed fast for a PB of 44.51 in his outdoor opener. He said afterward he is coming off an injury. Back in sixth place was World bronze medalist Quincy Hall in 45.52.

Alekna had the three longest throws in the discus, topped by a distance of 231 feet, 11 inches (70.70m). The 21-year-old Lithuanian recently broke a 38-year-old world record with a throw of 243-11 (74.35m) at Ramona, Okla.

Jackson, the American who won the past two World titles in the shot put, beat Canada’s Sarah Mitton, the World indoor gold medalist and world leader. Jackson also had the three longest throws, winning at 65-7.50 (20.00m). Mitton was third at 63-6.25 (19.36m).

“At this time of the season, I don’t want to throw too far,” Jackson said. “I prefer to focus on my technique and try to be consistent. I keep the big throw for the Paris Olympics.”

Eighteen-year-old Angelina Topic won the high jump at 6-6 (1.98m), breaking the Serbian record and climbing to second in the world this year. Her father, Dragutin Topic, was fourth in the high jump at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Moroccan favorite Soufianne El Bakkali held off Ethiopia’s Getnet Wale to win the steeplechase, 8:09.40 to 8:09.78. Hilary Bor was sixth in 8:13.30, fastest by an American this year.

El Bakkali, too, said he is coming off an injury, adding that he considered pulling out of the meet. He has won the past three global golds, Olympics and two Worlds.

“I’m so happy for winning in front of my supporters as winning at home has always a different taste,” he said.

In the 100 meters, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme beat Canada’s Andre De Grasse, 10.11 to 10.19.

Contact David Woods at dwoods1411@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.