The Jamaican sprint great made a grand return to the track at the weekend but some fans are still not convinced that she can go on to retain her world title.
Jamaican sprint queen Shericka Jackson made her long-awaited track comeback on Saturday but it was not a victorious return.
Jackson featured in the 60m dash at the Queen’s Grace Jackson Invitational Meet at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica and finished second to Jodean Williams.
The world 200m champion got off the blocks slow and had to do a lot to close in on her competitors, falling short of the win when she clocked 7.18 seconds to Williams’ 7.15 seconds.
Shericka Jackson was pleased with her season debut finishing second in the 60m as coach Paul Francis expresses optimism.
Jackson showed great character and tenacity to close in on her competitors and while her return to track for the first time in six months has been widely welcomed, some were quick to judge her performance, suggesting she will struggle to match her rivals.
“She’s not ready for Sha’Carri,” an X (formerly Twitter) user commented, doubting whether she is capable of upsetting the world 100m champion.
“Her worst start ever. She probably worked harder than her coach wanted her to,” another one commented.
However, others were happy to see Jackson back after 200 days since pulling out of the Paris 2024 Olympics just days before the Games began due to an injury.
“2nd for Shericka Jackson 7.18.. a slow start but up from here!!! Happy to see Shericka Jackson on the track. Gold medals at World Championships loading,” said one of Jackson’s fans who feel she will retain her crown at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
“I saw what I needed to see 100/200 Tokyo double here we come,” another fan shared that sentiment.
“Other than her bad reaction to the gun, this was a good race for Shericka.”
“Not the best of starts but the rust is off and Shericka Jackson is racing again. Which for fans, is what they haven’t seen in six months,” was the observation of another supporter.
Jackson must have been delighted by her performance which will set the tone for how she approaches the 2025 campaign that will culminate in the World Championships in September and her coach is also impressed.
“I am pleased with her performance in her first race of the season, as she came close to her personal best. She is healthy and we are looking forward to the remainder of the season,” Jackson’s coach Paul Francis said as quoted by the Jamaica Gleaner.
