American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden delivered a career-defining performance at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday, claiming the women's 100m title with a championship-record time of 10.61 seconds. The 24-year-old’s victory marked her first individual global gold and cemented her status as one of sprinting’s brightest stars.
Jefferson-Wooden outpaced Jamaica’s rising talent Tina Clayton (21) and St. Lucian Olympic champion Julien Alfred, who finished second and third, respectively. Her time ranks as the fourth-fastest in history and the quickest ever recorded at a world championships event.
The race also served as a farewell to Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 38, who placed sixth in her final world championships appearance. The five-time 100m world champion received a thunderous ovation from the crowd, honoring her unparalleled career spanning 15 years.
"This year has been nothing short of a dream," said an emotional Jefferson-Wooden after the race. "To execute perfectly when it matters most—this is what I’ve worked for. I’m grateful, blessed, and ready to build on this moment."
The result underscores shifting dynamics in women’s sprinting, with a new generation challenging established icons. Analysts predict Jefferson-Wooden’s technical precision and explosive starts will redefine competition standards ahead of upcoming global events.
