Shericka Jackson ran her best 200m race for second to Christine Mboma at Thursday’s (9 Sept) Wanda Diamond League final in Zurich.
She finished a close second in 21.81. “Never won today, but I got a PB, and I am grateful,” said Jackson on her social media page.
Jackson was fast off the curve but was tracked closely by Dina Asher-Smith (22.19). However, as Jackson moved away from Asher-Smith, Mboma, known for her strong finish, came rushing and took the lead in the last few metres.
Mboma crossed the line in a new world U20 record and African senior record of 21.78.
“When I crossed the finish line, I did not know that I won,” was Mboma’s first reaction.
She said when “I saw my name, I was like: Wow, I won!”
“This Trophy means a lot to me. I am glad I was able to run here and get this victory,” she added.
Ronald Levy was the next best-placed Jamaican
Devon Allen returned to beat Olympics champion Hansle Parchment, making it two-two after Tokyo. Along with Ronald Levy, both men battled hard from the start, but the former and Allen pulled slightly away.
Allen and Levy crossed the line in season-best times of 13.06, but the former won according to the photo finish camera. Parchment ended third in 13.17.
Shanieka Ricketts, 14.64m and Kimberly Williams, 14.47m, were second and third in the women’s triple jump, won by Yulimar Rojas, 15.48m.
Natoya Goule, who led at the bell and held it into the straight, finished the women’s 800m third in 1:58.34. Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain won the event in 1:57.98.
Megan Tapper was also a third-place finisher, running 12.55, just missing her PB of 12.53 in the women’s 100m hurdles. Tobi Amusan of Nigeria topped the field in an African record 12.42 ahead of Nadine Visser of the Netherland, 12.51.
Barbadian Sada Williams picked up third in the women’s 400m, running 50.24 to finish behind American Quanera Hayes, 49.88 and Marileidy Paulino Dominican Republic, 49.96.
Fedrick Dacres threw 65.33m for third in the men’s discus, again dominated by Sweden’s Daniel Stahl, 66.49m.
Femke Bol of the Netherland dominated the women’s 400m hurdles, running 52.80 for a new meeting record. Jamaican Janieve Russell finished seventh in 55.74.
Bol said: “I am really happy. Before the race, I made a plan with my coach to get a good time and win with the MR, and I got both.”
Fred Kerley (USA), 9.87 edged out Olympic Games 200m champion, Canadian Andre De Grasse, 9.89 and Ronnie Baker, 9.91.
De Grasse came back to pick up second in the men’s 200m, running 19.72 to finish just ahead of Kerley, the Tokyo 2020 100m bronze medallist, 19.83.
Kenneth Bednarek, who was second to De Grasse in Tokyo’s 200m, won the half-lap this time around in 19.70.
Kerley: “I won my first Diamond League here, I won my second Diamond League here, so I am pleased and happy about Zurich. Now, I have got two more races to finish out the season.”
American Michael Cherry, again edged out Grenadian Kirani James, 44.41 to 44.42, both falling from their dips at the line. Trinidad and Tobago’s Deon Lendore picked up third with 44.81.
Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands fought gallantly, but Karsten Warholm was too hot for the field again. Warholm won with 47.35secs ahead of Brazilian Alison Dos Santos, 47.81 and McMaster, 48.24.
Gianmarco Tamberi cleared 2.34m to win the men’s high jump and Armand Duplantis of Sweden, 6.06m for the top spot in the pole vault.
Thobias Montler of Sweden, 8.17 and Steffin McCarter of the USA, 8.14m, were the only jumpers over 8-metre.
Pedro Pichardo took the triple jump with 17.70, and Ryan Crouser, 22.67m, won his first shot put Diamond League trophy.
Danniel Thomas-Dodd, 18.38m, could only manage fifth in the women’s shot put, won by Maggie Ewen of the USA, 19.41m.
Anderson Peters of Grenada could only manage 81.65m in the men’s javelin, which went to star boy Johannes Vetter, 89.11m.
The sooner you give Mboma the recognition and respect she deserves, the better. It’s her time and she shouldn’t be harassed or being made an under-dog anymore. She has proven beyond reasonable doubt she is world class!
Congratulations both Namibia 🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦 we are happy.
Frankie Fredericks is probably so proud of her…!!!
Congratulations Mboma on Winning Diamond trophy…🎉🎉🌹👏🏿🎶🙌🏿🙏🏿 🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦 #RoseMentality
Congratulations shericka