The track world is anxiously awaiting what could be one of the most exciting clash in the women’s 200m finals in the upcoming World Championships following sizzling world-leading times over the weekend.

A total of three world leads were exchanged over the course of an hour between reigning Championships Shericka Jackson and USA’s fast riser Gabby Thomas at the respective National Championships over the weekend.

Thomas 26, dropped the gavel with a swift 21.86s in the semi-finals of the US trials which was the fastest time produced this year by any female over the distance.

The title of world lead lasted only a few minutes as National 100m champ Jackson scorched to a new personal record of 21.71s to defend her title at the National Stadium. Thomas however responded with a PR of 21.60s to win the final, becoming the sixth fastest off all-time in the process.

With both ladies showing they’re in sub-21.80s form ahead of next month’s World Champs in Budapest, the 200m looks set to attract an equally exciting duel between Jamaica and USA.

The current record by the late Florence Griffith-Joyner stands at 21.34s which came under threat by Jackson last year during her championship-winning run in Eugene where she logged a PR of 21.45s to become the second fastest of all time.

With Jackson entering as defending champion and Thomas showing hunger to reposition the USA on the map along with the additional competition from Sha’Carri Richards who finished second in the half lap at the trials, it’s expected to be an intense finals in both sprint events this year.