Photo: Shericka Jackson won her first World Championship medal at her first World Championships on Thursday.
Shericka Jackson ran a personal best and the first sub-50 race of her career of 49.99s as she picked up Jamaica’s second bronze medal at the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China on Thursday. The Women’s 400 meter final had four Jamaicans in it, but it was always going to be a challenge to claim a medal with race favourites Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas and Allyson Felix of the USA along with defending champion Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain to contend with.
Through the rounds, Jackson looked the best of the four Jamaicans and she ran a smart race to come off the final turn in contention. Holding her form and running beside the taller Miller, Jackson held off the challenge from her fourth placed teammate Christine Day, to grab a spot on the podium and bring glory to herself and Jamaica in her first world championships. Felix, who got off to a blazing start, won her first 400m world title with a strong finish while Miller won the silver medal.
Writing on her facebook page, Jackson said, “To God be the Glory!! Thanks for all the love and true support I appreciate it alot. First World Championship, a bronze medal and a personal best I couldn’t ask for more. Thanks to coach Stephen “Lord evil” Francis and the MVP crew. It’s just the beginning and I remain humble as I approach greater things.”
The gold medal in the women’s 400m continues to evade Jamaica but it was still a special moment for the country as the women finished 3rd, 4th, 5th and sixth in a history making final. Stephenie-Ann McPherson finished fifth and the veteran, Novlene Williams-Mills, finished sixth. Shockingly, the defending champion, Ohurugou finished at the back of the pack in 50.63.
The gold won by Felix was the first won by the USA on the track as the former track and field powerhouse struggles to win gold medals at the championships. Kenya sits atop the medal tables with six gold and eleven over all. The USA has twelve medals including three gold, four silver and five bronze, while Jamaica sits third with three gold and two bronze.
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