Jamaican sprint sensation Shericka Jackson has her sights set on breaking the women’s 200m world record as she prepares to compete at the 2025 Xiamen Diamond League this Saturday, April 26 .
The two-time world champion Shericka Jackson has consistently been on the cusp of rewriting the record books. Her blistering times of 21.45 in Eugene 2022 and 21.41 in Budapest 2023 rank as the second-fastest in history, trailing only Florence Griffith-Joyner’s legendary 21.34 set in 1988.
Despite a setback last year due to an injury just weeks before the Paris Olympics, Jackson has roared back in 2025 with impressive early-season performances, including a 7.14 in the outdoor 60m and a 36.13 in the 300m in Miramar.
During a pre-race press conference in Xiamen, Jackson reflected on her mindset heading into the new season.
“In 2023, I had a really good shot, and I was brave enough to see it because one time I was really afraid to say I wanted to break the world record,” she admitted.
“It’s something that I still have in mind. Do I focus on it? No. I just take each step at a time, and I think if it’s supposed to come, it will come once I’m healthy. As I said, it’s definitely one of my goals. I just want to stay healthy, and once I’m healthy and having some fun, then anything is possible.”
Jackson will face stiff competition, including Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji, who brings her own impressive credentials to the starting line.
Kambundji and the challengers lining up against Jackson
Reigning European indoor silver medalist in the 60m Mujinga Kambundji, has been in stellar form, claiming gold at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing last March with a time of 7.04. The Swiss sprinter also boasts two European gold medals in the 200m (Munich 2022 and Rome 2024), making her a formidable opponent for Jackson.
Meanwhile, the American contingent adds further intrigue to the race. Anavia Battle, who set the early-season world lead in the 100m with a 10.98 at the Tom Jones Memorial, will be looking to carry that momentum into the 200m. She’ll be joined by Tamara Clark, a 200m finalist at the 2022 World Championships, Jenna Prandini, a world champion in the 4x100m relay, and Twanisha Terry, an Olympic gold medalist in the same event.
The Xiamen Diamond League marks the beginning of a critical season for Jackson as she builds toward potential global championship success. Her ability to stay injury-free will be key, and if she can replicate, or even surpass, her 2023 form, the world record could finally be within reach.
