Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson Send Warning to Rivals With Statement Performances on Home Soil

Five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah and two-time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson were among the standouts at the Velocity Fest 18 meet on Saturday night at the National Stadium.

Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson have faced injury setbacks in previous seasons, and their performances on Saturday were proof that they are back in action and ready to rumble with their opponents.

Elaine Thompson-Herah was sidelined for the whole of the 2025 season after suffering an injury just before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and was even forced to give up her title defence bid.

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On her part, Shericka Jackson also withdrew from the Paris Olympic Games and in the 2025 season, she announced that it was her comeback season. She claimed a bronze medal in the women’s 200m at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

The 33-year-old Jamaican star powered to a time of 22.61 seconds. In her third race of the year, following two 60m sprints in February, Thompson-Herah pulled away from the field coming off the turn and maintained her composure down the home stretch to win comfortably.

In other heats, former junior standout Kerrica Hill delivered an impressive performance, winning her section with a personal best of 22.80 seconds. Rising talent Alana Reid also posted a swift, wind-assisted 22.83.

Nigerian world record holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, finished behind Elaine Thompson-Herah in their heat with a time of 23.25 seconds, placing her seventh overall. Amusan's Racers Track Club training partner, Jamaican hurdler Ackera Nugent, was close behind with a time of 23.35.

On her part, Shericka Jackson, the two-time world 100m silver medallist, was impressive in the 400m, as she looks forward to making a mark this season.

The Jamaican sprint queen showcased her impressive range by clinching victory in Section A of the 400m at Velocity Fest 18, crossing the line in 52.05 seconds.

She was closely pursued by Rushell Clayton, who secured a strong second-place finish with a time of 52.57 seconds. Rounding out the top three, Shiann Salmon delivered a solid performance, taking third in 53.28 seconds, completing a competitive field of elite Jamaican talent.

As the season unfolds, the Jamaican duo will be out to make a mark in their respective races, with their recent performances hinting at what fans should expect.