Jackson, Pryce blaze to victories at Shangai Diamond League 

Two-time 200-metre World Championships gold medallist Shericka Jackson and World Championships 4x400m silver medallist Nickisha Pryce got their seasons off to blazing starts, emerging as the only Jamaican winners at yesterday's opening Diamond League meeting of the season in Shanghai, China.

Jackson, who missed most of last season because of injury, was in fantastic form in her pet event, the 200m, dominating from the start to score an impressive victory in a season’s best 22.07 seconds. Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the meet record holder, finished second in 22.26, while American Anavia Battle was third in 22.40. Olympic Games 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson ended fourth in 22.42.

In what was the fourth fastest time over the distance this season and one of her best season openers ever, Jackson was pleased with her performance.

“Last year, I only ran at Xiamen coming off an injury-hit 2024 season. I wanted to enjoy last year and I think I did that. I did good tonight. I got here on Thursday to the hotel after a long trip. This sets me up well for the remainder of the season. It is a good feeling. It was my fastest opener since 2022 and 2023, so to be able to run this quickly in 2026, I am happy. I will be back competing in Xiamen next week,” concluded Jackson.

Earlier in the first track final of the meet, the women’s 400m, Pryce got the better of American Aaliyah Butler in an extremely close contest as she opened her season with 49.75 seconds to win an epic battle. 

Butler, the 2025 NCAA Division One Outdoor champion competing in her first Diamond League meet, ended second in 49.77, with Cuba’s Roxana Gómez third in 50.24. Jamaica’s Stacy-Ann Williams ended fourth in 50.58.

World Championships 110m hurdles silver medallist Orlando Bennett was the next best Jamaican at the meet after a fourth-place finish in a season’s best 13.20. It was a one-two finish for the United States in the 110m hurdles, with Jamal Britt equalling his personal best to go across the line first in 13.07. World champion Grant Holloway was second in 13.10, while world leader Rachid Muratake of Japan ended third in 13.18.

In what was a stacked women’s 100m hurdles final, the last event on the programme featuring four world champions and one world indoor champion, Olympic champion Masai Russell stole the show with a world-leading and meet record 12.25. Three-time World Indoor champion Devynne Charlton, after a blazing start, finished second in a personal best and national record 12.38, while Tobi Amusan of Nigeria was third in a season’s best 12.41.

Jamaica’s Megan Tapper finished fourth in 12.73, Ackera Nugent was sixth in 12.98, while Danielle Williams failed to finish.

Jamaicans did not fare well in the field events with Danniel Thomas-Dodd’s fifth-place finish in the women’s shot put, the highlight.

Thomas-Dodd’s 19.12 metres was bettered by Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands, who won the event with a world-leading and meet record 21.09.

Tajay Gayle was sixth and Wayne Pinnock seventh in the men’s long jump, with both athletes producing 7.93m. Italy’s Mattia Furlani won with a personal best 8.43m.

Jamaica’s other competitor on the day, Roje Stona, finished sixth in the men’s discus with a throw of 64.92m. Slovenia’s Kristjan Čeh won with a meet record 70.58m.