Smooth win for Jackson in Rabat 100m

Reigning World 200 metres champion Shericka Jackson eased to victory in her first 100 metres race of the season at yesterday’s Wanda Rabat Diamond League meet in Morocco.

Jackson, who clocked 11.04 seconds, found her rhythm mid-race to catch her opponents before pulling away for a facile victory. Maria McCoy of Liberia finished second in 11.08, with Jacious Sears of the United States third in 11.11.

Jackson was happy with the overall result.

“It was my first 100m since the Jamaica Trials last year and I am happy, and that’s the most important thing. I did a lot of stuff good, but there are a lot of things that I can improve on. But it is a good run, so I leave this competition with only happy feelings,” said Jackson.

The next best performance at the meet by a Jamaican came from Olympic Games bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell, who finished second in the men’s shot put with a season’s best 21.95 metres. Campbell actually took the lead with his final throw but was passed by the United States’ Payton Otterdahl, who produced a world-leading throw of 21.97m with the last throw of the contest. Joe Kovacs of the United States ended third with 21.52m.

GOOD COMPETITION

“It was a good competition. The circumstances were good, the atmosphere was nice, the stadium was packed, so it was fun to compete. It is my second meet of the year and so everything still feels rusty, but I am proud of the result,” said Campbell, who is looking forward to the Rome Diamond League in a week’s time.

Andrenette Knight continued her fine form this season in the women’s 400m hurdles — she produced a season’s best 53.90 for a second-place finish. Making her debut in the event this season, World champion Femke Bol of the Netherlands was very impressive, clocking a meet record 52.46 for the win. Ayomide Folorunso of Italy took third in a season’s best 54.70, just edging out Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton, who clocked 54.83 on her return from injury.

High jumper Romaine Beckford finished fourth after clearing 2.25m — a season’s best, and the same height cleared by the top three, including winner Hamish Kerr of New Zealand. The other Jamaican in the event, Raymond Richards, could only manage ninth with 2.21m.

Natoya Goule-Toppin struggled in the women’s 800m, finishing 10th in 1:59.92. Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia won in 1:57.42.

South African sprinter Akani Simbine remained hot this season, maintaining his unbeaten run in the men’s 100m. He stopped the clock at 9.95, getting the better of Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala (10.05), with Fred Kerley of the United States finishing third in 10.07.