Jackson, Richardson in big Diamond League clash

July 14, 2023
Sha’Carri Richardson
Sha’Carri Richardson
Shericka Jackson
Shericka Jackson
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Jamaica's Shericka Jackson and the United States of America's (USA) Sha'Carri Richardson, after convincing wins in the women's 100 metres at their respective national championships, will be in a mega clash on Sunday at the Siliesa Kamila Skolimowska Diamond League meet in Poland, which will feature 13 Jamaicans.

It is expected to be a mouthwatering clash, which will involve the two fastest women in the world, with Jackson producing a season-best 10.65 seconds to win at the Jamaica National Senior Championships (Trials), while Richardson clocked a season-best 10.71 seconds in winning her first-round race at the USA National Championships, before going on to win the final in 10.82.

Both are the two hottest women sprinters in the world, and fans are in store for something special, with both meeting for the second time this season. Richardson came out on top the first time at the Doha Diamond League in 10.76 seconds to Jackson's 10.85 second-place finish.

With just under five weeks before the Budapest World Championships, bragging rights will be on the line, and it could be a big psychological boost for the winner. Daryl Neita of Great Britain, Aleia Hobbs of the USA and the Bahamas' Anthonique Stachan, who have all gone sub-11 seconds this season, will contest the marquee event.

Megan Tapper, following her win at the National Championships and third-place finisher Danielle Williams, will be in a highly stacked women's 100 metres hurdles.

They will go up against World Championships winner and world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, who is slowly returning to her best. The race will also involve the top two finishers at the USA National Championships, winner Nia Ali and Kendra Harrison, the former record holder.

Third and fourth-place finishers at the National Championships Candice McLeod and Charokee Young will be involved in the women's 400 metres, where World Championships winner Marileidy Paulino of Dominica Republic, the second fastest woman in the event this season with 48.98 seconds, will be the headliner.

National 800 metres champion Natoya Goule-Toppin will be the other Jamaican woman in track action, contesting the two-lap event.

In what is expected to be a feisty women's triple jump, Shanieka Ricketts, who is getting back to her best after a wind-aided 14.79 metres win at the Trials, will take on a quality line-up, which includes World Championships winner and world record holder Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela and the Cuban pair of Leyanis Perez Hernandez and Liadagmis Povea.

Three Jamaicans, Ackeem Blake, Yohan Blake and Kishane Thompson, will contest a very tough men's 100 metres, which include Fred Kerley, Marvin Bracy-Williams and Cravont Charleston of the USA and Akani Simbine of South Africa.

Tyler Mason and Damion Thomas will contest the men's 110 metres hurdles to close off the Jamaicans to compete at the meet.

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