0.08s. That’s what separates the good from the best. While it might look like an insignificant number, it’s also this miniscule split of a second that ultimately decided whether Julian Alfred’s name would be entered into the annals of history or not. The day was April 5. High off of a debut Olympic gold win, the Saint Lucian athlete was up against one more challenge—competing in a rare 300m race against multi-Olympic medalist and the second-fastest woman in the 200m, Shericka Jackson. But the Castries, a small city with a 20,000 population, resident was ready for her challenge.

Exactly, 36.05 seconds later, not only did Alfred beat the Jamaican, but also beat her own national record of 36.13. But as everyone was getting buzzed over the celebration, Julien dropped a message so big that even Justin Gatlin was stunned. So, what got Gatlin partying over this epic showdown?

Kicking off the festivities, Gatlin’s reaction on Ready Set Go was like fireworks on the Fourth of July. “Oh man, crazy crazy!” he cheered, practically jumping out of his seat for Alfred’s run. “And on top of that, you didn’t see Julien coming. You know, like, of course we’ve known that in the last two years, she’s run 4x4s at Texas Relays, so we know that she’s capable of running a 300 competitively, but at the magnitude of dropping [that time]? Crazy work! That’s crazy.”

Alfred’s 36.05, a personal best, edged Jackson by a mere 0.08 seconds, with Ivory Coast’s Jessika Gbai grabbing third in 36.24. But Gatlin wasn’t done celebrating—he threw confetti for Jackson too: “And shout out to Sherekica too—you know she’s coming into form, especially having the season she had last year. To be able to kind of get back stronger and have Sherekica drop that 36.13… Like I said, it’s a long season, bro. She is coming back. That’s good form right there.”

Jackson, Jamaica’s four-time world champ, strutted her stuff, proving her 2024 injury blues are history. So, why is everyone raising a glass to this race? This Miramar magic is a track and field triumph! Alfred’s record-breaking 36.05 comes fresh off her Texas Relays 4x400m relay win, where she blazed a 49.8-second anchor split that had Austin buzzing. Gatlin’s ready to toast her grand plan: “You know, she’s getting her ready as a dominant double threat.” 

But before people can start hoping to see her emerge as a dual-threat, there’s an interesting update the Saint Lucian Olympian would want you to know. After her Texas Relays shenanigans, the 23-year-old was quick to stop the rumor mill from churning. In an interview, she surprisingly proclaimed, “Well, this is my last 4 by 4,” before adding, “I am done with the 400s…”

Yet, Gaitlin acknowledged how Alfred can make her Relay experience work in other disciplines. “So you run those 4x4s, you come down to that 300, see where you’re at in pure speed and endurance, and you drop down to that 200.” That 200 becomes easy. Now you’re dropping these 21s all over the board, and you already know what that looks like. “If you have superior foot speed in the 200 and you already know how to have fast-twitch muscles and a race strategy for the 100, who’s going to stop you?”

With her 10.72 100m (Paris 2024) and 22.16 200m bests, Alfred is poised to rule both. And let’s not forget Jackson—her 36.13 is a victory lap after a tough 2024, where injuries sidelined her Olympic dreams. That 21.41 200m world-title form (2023) is sparkling again, setting up a season of showdowns.

Who’s ready to keep the party going at the Tokyo World Championships?

Jackson’s Supporters Target Julien After Miramar Win

Well, the Miramar Invitational turned into a sprinting spectacle on April 5, 2025, but the post-race vibe took a fiery twist as some Shericka Jackson fans unleashed their frustration over Julien Alfred’s stunning 300m victory. Social media became a battleground, with Alfred’s national record-breaking run edging Jackson’s 36.13 by a razor-thin 0.08 seconds, drawing sharp criticism from Jackson’s loyalists.

The Saint Lucian star’s triumph was no small feat, yet it sparked a wave of shade that had fans picking sides. So, what exactly did Jackson’s supporters say to stir the pot? Digging into the drama, one fan’s post cut deep: “Julien Alfred cannot beat Shericka, Elaine, or Shelly. She is not in their class.” This jab dismissed Alfred’s Olympic 100m gold (10.72s, Paris 2024) and 200m silver (22.16s), framing her win as a one-off against Jamaica’s sprinting holy trinity—Jackson, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Another user doubled down, claiming, “Shericka is the real queen; Julien just got lucky,” suggesting Jackson’s five Olympic medals and 21.41 200m world-title form (2023) tower over Alfred’s rising star. Alfred’s camp, however, isn’t fazed—her Miramar masterclass, backed by a 49.8-second 4x400m split at Texas Relays, screams she’s building a legacy. So, will this fan feud fuel Alfred’s fire for the Tokyo World Championships?