‘I cried after the 100m’
Shericka Jackson speaks on struggles after injury; returning to top of the sport
Published:Saturday | September 20, 2025 | 12:10 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
TOKYO, Japan
Shericka Jackson’s journey to the podium at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships is one of resilience and growth as the sprinter revealed her struggles after an injury-laden season last year.
Jackson claimed the bronze medal in the women’s 200m final in 22.18 seconds.
Team USA’s Melissa Jefferson-Wooden took the title, and the sprint double, in 21.68, while Great Britain’s Amy Hunt was second in 22.14.
Jackson, the former 200m world champion, said she is grateful to have been able to finish among the medals as she had missed most of last year through injuries.
The sprinter enjoyed an amazing 2023 season but saw her progress derailed after injuries pushed her out of the sport for a number of months, forcing her to miss out on the Paris Olympic Games.
“It has been a rough journey, especially since last year,” she said.
“ I said I wanted to make this year a fateful year after last year’s disappointment, not competing in the Olympics any at all.”
She continued: “I think I recovered well from such a bad injury last year, and I pat myself on my shoulder. It has been a journey where my friends, my family, and everybody kept me grounded, and I think I did pretty good this year.”
LEARNING GRACE
Jackson said one of the things she has learnt since her return to the track has been to give herself more credit for all that she has achieved.
She said that following a fourth-place finish in the women’s 100m final, she left the stadium crying as she had been aiming for a medal.
Since then, Jackson has decided to give herself credit as her time of 10.88, particularly after a year away from the sport, should be considered an exceptional performance.
“Honestly, after the 100m, I cried. I was heartbroken,” she admitted.
“But then I remembered that I needed to pat myself on my shoulder to be able to run 10.88. Even though I did not get a medal, I think I did really, really well in the 100m.”
Jackson continued: “Tonight I just came out here to do my best and put the pieces together. I came out with a bronze medal, and I’m grateful.”
TAKING A BREAK
Another key lesson Jackson has learnt since her return has been the importance of taking a break and allowing her body to recover.
In 2023, Jackson achieved personal bests of 10.65 and 21.41 in the 100m and 200m, respectively.
Those times had made her the fifth fastest woman of all-time across the 100m, and the second-fastest woman in the 200m.
With those accomplishments, she was eager to compete in 2024 at the highest level without understanding the need for a break.
“As I said, just give myself some grace and take a break when needed. Last year, I didn’t want to take a break. I was, like, I wanted to compete,” she shared.
“I wanted to compete, but I think my takeaway from this year is just to give myself some grace. After all that happened, it takes time to come back, and I did pretty good. I was patient enough, and I’m here.”
Jackson will now turn her attention to the 4x100m, where she will join Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Tina Clayton, Tia Clayton, Jonielle Smith, and Jodean Williams in Jamaica’s quest for a medal.