Jackson avoiding distractions - Lessons from the past allowing World 200m champion to deal with heightened expectations

As the expectations get bigger for World 200 metres champion Shericka Jackson, she says that lessons from the past have prepared her to approach her 2023 season with a tunnel vision mindset.

Jackson stormed to a world-leading time of 10.82 seconds over 100 metres last Saturday at the Velocity Fest 13 inside the National Stadium, erasing American Aleia Hobbs' 10.86 effort, which she clocked earlier that day.

"It is the first time since switching to the sprint double that she has opened her 100m slate with a sub-11 clocking, something that has boosted her confidence. In dealing with the increased expectations from her impressive 2022 campaign, she said that the pitfalls of 2016 are useful lessons in keeping her focus.

"I think I made a mistake back in 2016 when I was so focused on what I did in 2015 that I got carried away and for most of the season, I was actually struggling. So I don't want that to be (repeated)," Jackson told STAR Sports.

Jackson was referring to capturing the World Championship bronze medal in the 400m final in Beijing in 2015 as well as being part of Jamaica's 4x400m team that won gold. The following season she finished third in the 400m final at the Olympics despite a season in which she struggled. She has already turned the page from 2022, better prepared to handle what is to come,

"It's a new year and I am not going to have the same goals. I will probably have the same determination I had last year but I have rewritten my goals and I think it's a new season. I don't want to focus on what I did last year because I can't get back what I did last year. I just have to work harder and focus on this season," Jackson said.

MVP coach Stephen Francis predicted a super season for Jackson in the 100m based on observations last year. Her approach to handling those expectations is to minimise the distractions that can affect her progress.

"I think I can handle the pressure. I stay off social media as much as I can even though I like to be on it and scroll through. But I stay off social media because you can get carried away by what others are saying," Jackson said. "For me, I just stay focused. I have my friends and I think I enjoy being around the people that I love."