In spite of a second-placed finish to secure her place on Jamaica’s team for the women’s 100m event at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later this year, Shericka Jackson’s journey to the result at the National Championships (Trials) on Friday was far from smooth.

Jackson, the defending world 200m champion, who had already qualified for that event, admitted that self-doubt and mental exhaustion nearly derailed her hopes of doubling up in the sprints.

“Honestly, if I said I knew two weeks ago that I would make this team, I would be lying,” Jackson told the Jamaica Observer after the 100m final. “I never doubted myself completely, but training was a roller coaster for the last three or probably three and a half weeks, and sometimes mentally, I was tapped out.”

The 100m final was won by Jackson’s MVP Track Club teammate Tina Clayton in a personal best time of 10.81 seconds while Jackson clocked a season’s best 10.88 seconds. Third went to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in a season’s best time of 10.91 seconds.

Jackson admitted that the mental toll was significant enough that she had to seek professional help before the National Championships.

“I had to go see my therapist and I had to take a break mentally,” she said. “Trials were coming up, and what happened last year was playing on my mind.”

A year ago, Jackson said that she had to deal with physical setbacks and emotional challenges, including a strained quadriceps at Trials 2024, an injury she did not realise she was carrying at the time.

“Last year was a roller coaster,” she said. “I probably ran with a strained quad, which I didn’t even know of. But that was last year. I don’t dwell on last year. I don’t want it in my mind, because sometimes it might play on your mind and I want to focus on what’s next.”

Jackson says that difficult experience helped fuel her motivation this season as she is determined to put on a good showing for the country this year.

“I always have my little paper, because my paper from last year, I still have it on my fridge. I didn’t achieve it, but I definitely have it,” she shared.

“I set my goals and last year I was really unsure about what I wanted, even though I set my goals, I set them later than usual. But this time, I set my goals from when I closed out my season early last year.

“I wrote that my goal for this year is to make the team for the 100, because I have already made it for the 200. So I am here and I am happy and I am healthy,” she added.

Looking back at her performance on Friday night, Jackson says she knew it would take a special effort to secure her spot.

“Everybody showed up tonight and I wanted to make the team,” she said. “It would have taken a sub-11 to make the team, and I am happy to be on the team. I can’t complain.”

Tina Clayton (second left) sprints to the tape to take the women’s 100m final in 10.81 seconds, ahead of Shericka Jackson (left), who placed second in 10.88, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (right), third in 10.91, on day 2 of the National Senior Championships at the National Stadium on Friday. Also pictured is Tia Clayton, who can be seen pulling up with an injury, causing her not to finish the race. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)