On June 28, 2025, Chase Jackson looked ready to break the 21-metre barrier. At the Iron Wood Throws Classic, she launched the shot 20.95m to break her own American record of 20.76m from ’23. Since then, 21m has remained the target, and the Silesia Diamond League 2026 looked like another good chance. This time, however, the American arrived in Poland unprepared for what she had hoped for.

The day she stepped into the circle on August 22, 2026, Jackson, the Paris Olympian, soon banished those worries. She opened with 19.50m before finding her best throw of the day on her second attempt. The shot travelled 20.92m, giving Jackson the win, a meeting record and a new 2026 best.

Jackson set a dominant tone, leading from her very first attempt, she launched a stellar 20.56m throw in the opening round to firmly secure the lead.

There was good reason for Jackson to be pleased with what she had produced. Her journey to Poland had been far from smooth.

“I had some travel woes coming here. Flights were delayed and I did not get any sleep,” she said. “But my training has been going very well and even with all of that I am able to throw well,” she added. “I always want more, but I am very pleased with the distance I did today.”

The long trip also brought one familiar challenge for Jackson: jet lag. Traveling from the U.S. to Poland, she admitted the distance made the adjustment tough.

After the opening round, she then fouled her next two attempts before closing with 20.29m as per the Silesia Diamond League website. With three throws beyond 20m, Jackson won the game.

Yet despite winning comfortably and coming within 3cm of her American record, Jackson’s thoughts quickly returned to the number that has been just out of reach.

“It is a little frustrating that I keep coming so close to 21 metres, but never actually get there,” Jackson said after the competition. “Maybe it will finally happen.”

With that said, she won comfortably over Jessica Schilder, who finished second with 20.20m, while Sarah Mitton was third with 19.34m. But after another throw so close to 21m, one question remains: will Jackson finally break the barrier this season? She certainly believes there is more to come.

Two more chances await Chase Jackson in her 21m chase

Chase believes she can still get more out of herself when she gets another chance.

“I’m really proud of myself now,” she said.

Jackson is set to compete at ISTAF Berlin on August 30 at the Olympic Stadium before heading to Brussels for the Diamond League Final on September 4-5. And Jackson is hoping to arrive at those competitions in better condition after the difficult journey to Poland.

“I have two more competitions to come this year, Berlin and the Diamond League final. I hope to be more rested there,” she said.

The Silesia competition also gave Jackson a chance to compete in a setting she clearly enjoyed. The women’s shot put was held outdoors on the streets of Katowice, rather than inside the main stadium.

“I like throwing out in the streets like here,” Jackson said, although she admitted she was surprised the stands were not closer to the throwing sector.

The Polish crowd still made a strong impression on her.

“Poland is a throwing country, the fans appreciate us here and I love competing here,” Jackson said.

Her Silesia performance also marked another step forward in what has been a strong season. Jackson had thrown 20.74m in Oslo on June 10, setting a meeting record and what was then her season’s best. Now, with Berlin and the Diamond League Final still ahead, she has two more opportunities to finally make 21 metres count.