Jamaicans Jackson, Pryce win at Shanghai Diamond League

There were two wins for Jamaica at the Diamond League in Shanghai on Saturday, courtesy of Shericka Jackson and Nickisha Pryce in the women’s 200m and 400m events.

Jackson, coming off an injury-plagued season last year, took victory in a loaded women’s 200m in 22.07 (0.3m/s), holding off long-time rival Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas in 22.26. American Anavia Battle who won the first Diamond League, was third in 22.40, with Sha’Carri Richardson fourth in 22.42. 

“It sets me up well for the rest of the season,” said Jackson. “It is a good feeling, it was my fastest opener since 2022 or 2023 so to be able to run this quickly in 2026, I’m happy.”

“Last year, I only ran at Xiamen rather than this meet because coming off an injury hit 2024 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 here,” she explained.

Pryce, without the demands of Collegiate running, closed rapidly to win the women’s 400m in 49.75, catching the USA’s Aaliyah Butler on the line in 49.78. Cuba’s Roxana Gomez was third in 50.24. Fellow Jamaican Stacey-Ann Williams was fourth in 50.59  while the 2019 World champion and 2024 Olympic Games silver medallist Salwa Nasser was seventh in 51.56. 

Meanwhile a number of Jamaicans were just off the podium in their events as Orlando Bennett finished fourth in the en’ 110 hurldes in 13.20 won by Jamal Britt of the USAQ in 13,07. American Cordell Tinch was second in 13.10,

Megan Simmonds was fourth in the Women’s 100 hurdles, clocking 12.73. Fellow Jamaicans Ackera Ngent was sixth with 12.98 and Danielle Williams did not finish. The event was won by American Masai Russell in a meet record 12.25. Devynne Charlton, who was second in 12.38, established a new Bahamian record.

Roje Sona was sixth in the Men’s discus with 64.92m, won by Kristjan Ceh of Slovakia with 70.58m while Danniel Thomas-Dodd was fifth ithe Women’s shot put with 19.12m. Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands won in 21.09m, a new Diamond League record. It was the longest throw in the world since 2011.