Even legends face immense scrutiny. At the Racers Grand Prix on June 8, 2025, Shericka Jackson ran the 200m in 22.53 seconds. This was a season best, even tying Anavia Battle’s recent winning time. Yet, for some fans, it just wasn’t enough. Despite outpacing Audrey Leduc (22.80s) and Caisja Chandler (22.92s) with a favorable +1.0 m/s tailwind, Jackson’s time drew flak. Fans, accustomed to her signature sub-22-second brilliance, felt let down because the time didn’t match the sky-high bar she’d set for herself. But not all felt the same. A veteran athlete came to her rescue.

Well, amidst the noise, Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic 100m champion, offered a refreshing perspective. In a YouTube analysis, Gatlin championed Jackson’s run, noting, “She literally ran the same time that Anavia Battle ran at her and she won her race with a 22.53.” And we’re used to watching Shericka run amazing times and do amazing things on the track in the 100 and the 200.”

For him, matching Battle’s mark is proof she’s “right on par to be one of the top dogs for the 200 as she gets ready for the nationals.” Gatlin’s confidence isn’t just a hunch; it’s rooted in strategy. He explained, “So as a veteran, you have to be able to know how to land the plane. And what I mean by landing the plane is knowing when to peak at the right time and not use all your energy trying to show everybody and prove everybody that you’re ready to run.”

For Gatlin, Jackson isn’t stumbling; she’s meticulously pacing herself for the nationals and the World Championships, where making the team and securing a podium finish are the ultimate goals. “Be ready to run on the day that counts the most, and that means make the team. And then that means go out there, get on that podium at the World Championships, and then that’s a successful season,” he says.

Her 22.53 seconds isn’t a sign of weakness but a calculated step in a veteran’s journey. As Jackson sets her sights on nationals, Gatlin’s endorsement paints her as a shrewd, seasoned athlete, not a fading star. Her season best shows she’s firmly in the running, poised to unleash her full power when it truly counts.

With the World Championships on the horizon, Jackson’s path is a testament to resilience, a powerful reminder that even the greatest legends must navigate criticism to truly soar. Yet some do not agree.

Shericka Jackson faces backlash 

Shericka Jackson, Jamaica’s sprint queen, has always lit up the track with her incredibly fast 100m and 200m races. Her personal best of 21.41 seconds in the 200m is one of the fastest ever, and her gold medal at the 2022 World Championships solidified her status as a true titan of the sport. On June 8, 2025, at the Racers Grand Prix, Jackson delivered a powerful 200m run, clocking in at 22.53 seconds.

This was her season best. Yet, even with such a strong performance, her victory wasn’t enough to escape criticism. Why would a display of dominance spark doubt? That’s where Coach Rob, a track analyst, stepped in with a sharp and rather blunt critique. On his platform, Coach Rob Track & Field, he openly questioned Jackson’s standing as a title contender. 

“The idea of Shericka breaking the world record in the 200m needs to be relinquished completely at this point in her career,” he stated, urging her to simply focus on securing any medal, warning that “even that is not guaranteed at all.” He didn’t stop there, adding, “Shericka doesn’t look like she started her speed program yet,” suggesting her current form is far from her peak potential.

But is Coach Rob’s assessment too harsh, or is it a dose of tough love? With the World Championships on the horizon, her season best signifies her resilience in the face of intense scrutiny. The big question remains: Can she transform this pressure into a podium finish when it matters most?