Shericka Jackson may have clocked a season’s best, but the reaction from the track and field community has been anything but celebratory. The two-time World Champion stormed to a 22.53 finish at the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston. Her fastest time of the year. But instead of applause, her performance has been met with raised eyebrows, sharp criticism, and whispers that her glory days might be behind her.
In what was only her second 200m race of the season, Jackson improved from her previous 22.79 effort in China. Still, her showing has sparked major concern, particularly from long-time observer and analyst Coach Rob, who didn’t hold back in his assessment. Speaking on his platform, Coach Rob Track & Field, he openly questioned whether Jackson should even be considered a title contender anymore.
“The idea of Shericka breaking the world record in the 200m needs to be relinquished completely at this point in her career,” he stated. And according to him, she should now simply focus on securing a medal of any color. Because even that “is not guaranteed at all.” Coach Rob’s criticism didn’t stop there. He scrutinized Jackson’s physical condition, pointing out that she appears “a bit heavy” and speculated that she hasn’t yet begun her speed program.
To him, that lack of visible explosiveness is a red flag. “Shericka doesn’t look like she started her speed program yet,” he added bluntly. Drawing comparisons with her prime, he noted that her current form doesn’t measure up to the leaner, sharper athlete who scorched the track with a blistering 21.45 not too long ago.
He also emphasized the unpredictability of her training regime under the MVP Track Club, which often sends its athletes out to compete regardless of where they are in their preparation. While some fans saw her latest race as part of a larger build-up, Rob was clear that the result, no matter where she is in her program, was far from promising.
“Go look at Shericka’s body when she ran 21.5 and look at this version of Shericka now in 2025. This version of Shericka will not run under 22,” he warned. For Jackson, the path forward won’t be about reclaiming old records but about proving she still belongs at the top. With the Jamaican national championships looming, all eyes will be on how she responds to the skepticism.
Can she silence the doubters and reignite her dominance? Or is this the beginning of a slow, inevitable descent from the world’s sprinting elite? One thing is clear. Track fans aren’t buying into the narrative of a slow-burning comeback. They want results, and for now, the clock and the critics are both ticking loudly against Shericka Jackson.
Shericka Jackson faces backlash from fans over sluggish sprint times
As soon as the news garnered traction, fans flocked to the comments section to express their frustration. Despite clocking a season-best 22.53, many fans now believe “the idea of Shericka breaking the world record in the 200m needs to be relinquished completely at this point in her career.” The sharp downgrade in expectations comes as a reflection of her current pace. And that feels worlds apart from the 21.45 standard she once set.
There’s mounting concern over her preparation, with one fan bluntly stating, “Jackson doesn’t look like she started her speed program yet!” The lack of explosive drive in Kingston seems to validate such a worry, especially given Coach Rob’s similar observation that she hasn’t yet entered a high-velocity training phase. While criticism was widespread, one fan noted, “Sherika seems a bit heavy.”
However, they added that MVP’s unconventional approach could explain the dip in performance. Their habit of racing athletes regardless of readiness leaves many unsure how to interpret her current form, either an early blip or a deeper issue. Not everyone is panicking. A more analytical voice pointed out, “No need to be OVERLY concerned about SHERICKA 21.53 for the 200m,” using her recent 11s-flat 100m as a benchmark.
They argue the 200m time is expected and believe she’ll be “running 10.60s for the 100m” and much faster at season peak. For others, the optics are telling. “Go look at Shericka’s body when she ran 21.5 and look at this version of Shericka now in 2025,” a track enthusiast insisted. The visual comparison underscores a perceived decline in physical conditioning, feeding the belief that her current shape won’t support sub-22 performances.
A quieter concern lingers in the form of injury speculation. “She may have a nagging injury,” one comment read. Their words hinted at an underlying explanation for the slower times and heavy look. While not confirmed, such whispers are gaining traction amid doubts about her sharpness and rhythm. Thus, with the situation looking complicated, it now remains to be seen how things pan out next.
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