Shericka Jackson celebrates after winning the women’s 200m at the World Athletics Championships.© AFP
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson outgunned compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on the back straight to win 200m gold at the World Athletics Championships on Thursday. Jackson set a championship record of 21.45 seconds, the second fastest time ever run over the distance, for a first individual world title at Hayward Field, Eugene. Newly-crowned 100m gold medallist Fraser-Pryce took silver in 21.81sec, with defending champion Dina Asher-Smith of Britain claiming bronze (22.02).
All eyes had been on Fraser-Pryce, sporting a long mane of dyed purple hair, in her bid for a second sprint double after having achieved the feat at the 2013 Moscow worlds.
Fast out of the blocks in lane six, Fraser-Pryce rocketed past Niger’s Aminatou Seyni in no time, running a great bend to hit the back stretch neck-and-neck with Jackson, in four.
As the two Jamaicans went head-to-head, Jackson put on the afterburners and pulled away in impressive style, not giving up until she thundered through the line.
Promoted
Fraser-Pryce swept through on her coattails, with Asher-Smith holding off Seyni for bronze.
Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, the third part of Jamaica’s cleansweep of the 100m along with Fraser-Pryce and Jackson, eventually came in seventh in 22.39sec.
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