I just want to perform at my best – Jackson
HAVING STARTED her 200m slate with a strong performance, world 200m champion Shericka Jackson will gauge herself against the best at today’s Wanda Diamond League Meet in Rabat, Morocco, starting at 12:37 p.m. Jamaica time.
Jackson leads a strong contingent of Jamaicans competing at the second Diamond League meet of the season, as she competes in her second 200m race of the season at 2:02 p.m
In yesterday’s press conference, Jackson said that despite the changing conditions in Morocco, she is prepared to adapt and is not putting a target on how fast she wants to go.
“It was cold (yesterday). I don’t know what the weather will be like today. But I believe that I am conditioned to running in any weather. Once my legs are warmed properly tomorrow, I will definitely see how fast I can go,” Jackson said. “I’m looking forward to performing at my best, whether the time is fast or not.”
Jackson clocked 22.25 seconds to win her 200m opener at the JAAA’s All-Comers Meet on May 20 and is focused on continuing her good form so far.
STAYING HEALTHY
“This is my first Diamond League 200m of the season so I just want to perform at my best and stay healthy,” Jackson said.
Meanwhile, the men’s 110m hurdles will feature a battle between reigning World Champion Grant Holloway, Olympic champion Hansle Parchment and Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Broadbell at 1:29 p.m. It will be the first time this season that the three will face each other. While cognisant of the pedigree that they bring, Holloway says he has no reason to be fearful of the competition.
“I don’t think I am going to be afraid of anybody. You have eight fierce competitors, you have an Olympic champion in Parchment, Rasheed is on a nice trend, and Devon Allen, the third fastest in history. You have multiple people who have already been on the Diamond League so there is no one to be feared,” Holloway said. This will be Parchment’s third 110m hurdles race of the season and his first in the Diamond League this year, while this will be Broadbell’s fourth 110m hurdles race of the season.
Former world 100m champion Yohan Blake will face off against the fastest man in the world this year, Ferdinand Omanyala, and World Champion Fred Kerley in the men’s 100m. The race was to have featured Olympic 100m champion Lamont Jacobs but he withdrew from the race citing a back injury. The women’s 400m hurdles will feature 2019 World Championship bronze medallist Rushell Clayton as well as Shiann Salmon and Commonwealth Games champion Janieve Russell.
World Championship silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts, as well as Kimberly Williams, will compete in the women’s triple jump as they open their Diamond League seasons, while Natoya Goule is slated to run the women’s 800m.
Rusheen McDonald will compete in the men’s 400m against Olympic champion Steven Gardiner.