Sometimes one’s performances in the NCAA circuit aren’t really an indication of what one does internationally. After all, just look at Anaiva Battle; her performances in the collegiate domain were anything but ordinary. But fast forward to 2025, and the young sprinter isn’t just holding her own on the global stage but beating well-established names in the process. The latest example? Jamaican sprint queen Shericka Jackson at the Xiamen Diamond League in April. She was so good that she even caught the attention of a former track superstar. But who?

Well, for that, we might need to rewind to last month at the Tom Jones Invitational. After all, it was here that Battle started her banger of a 2025 season and put her competition to dust, getting the better of McKenzie Long and Maia McCoy as she clocked a sensational 10.98-second run. But that was not all. It was also her first time breaching the 11-second mark, in the process giving her the world lead. This, combined with her sensational Diamond League win, was just too much for Justin Gatlin to ignore, who had some high words of praise.

In a recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast, Rodney Green initially opined that Battle is now coming to her elements. Green stated that Battle took some time in the last couple of years to find her mojo. And now, when she seems to have found it, Battle is ready to launch herself. Agreeing to the narrative, Gatlin stated that the 26-year-old is now getting comfortable running the blazing fast timings.

The US track legend further elaborated on how, oftentimes, athletes get overshadowed by others while in the collegiate realm. “And this is what happens that we overlook, I think, in our sport: that we have athletes who don’t make a collegiate big splash and they become overshadowed by some other athletes who become those stars,” said Battle. Surely, Battle is one of them. And going forward, Gatlin has a lot of expectations from the US sprint sensation. 

Gatlin hoped that Battle could continue her dominance in the long run. Praising how she has strategized her races this season, Battle stated, “I hope that she’s able to handle and maintain this same tempo and this race strategy going through this season,” said Battle. Surely, it is evident that Anavia Battle is currently the hot topic of discussion among all the track enthusiasts. Now then, after achieving a feat as big as defeating Shericka Jackson, Battle was quite expectedly elated.

Anavia Battle stuns Shericka Jackson with fearless 200m triumph in Xiamen

“That 15-hour flight really hurt,” Anavia Battle admitted—but not enough to stop her. In a sensational 200m showdown at the Xiamen Diamond League, the 26-year-old stunned the track world by overpowering none other than the Jamaican powerhouse, Shericka Jackson. From the gun, Battle surged ahead with such authority that even the four-time world champion couldn’t catch her.

Jackson settled for second at 22.79 seconds, while Battle blazed to a 22.41 finish. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. For Anavia, it wasn’t only about crossing the line first. It was about proving something to herself. “I was a little nervous because I haven’t run the 200 yet. But I’m happy I did it here,” she said after the race, glowing with satisfaction.

The nerves were justified—it was her first 200m since August 2024, and the stakes were high. But the Michigan native channeled every ounce of preparation into execution, pulling ahead in the first half and never letting up. The victory was impressive on its own, but considering the punishing travel and the caliber of her opponent, it meant even more. Hinting at the rhythm she found in Xiamen, Battle added, “Had good competition, had a really good feel.” With back-to-back victories, Battle’s momentum—and confidence—are both soaring.