In The Top Flight In Tokyo

Jefferson-Wooden wins women's 100m at world championships, Seville leads Jamaica men's 1-2

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TOKYO — Melissa Jefferson-Wooden produced a stunning performance to win the women's 100 meters world title on Sept 14, taking her first major individual gold at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo.

The 24-year-old American clocked 10.61sec in a new World Athletics Championships record, the fourth-fastest time in history.

Jamaican youngster Tina Clayton took silver in 10.76sec with Paris Olympic champion Julien Alfred of St Lucia third in 10.84sec.

“I have been dreaming of this moment,” said Jefferson-Wooden, who will bid to achieve the sprint double in the 200m.

“Instead of putting the pressure on myself and taking it as something overwhelming, I was just embracing it. That (change) was worth the gold medal tonight.”

There was to be no medal farewell, at least in the individual event, for five-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

The 38-year-old Jamaican legend — her hair dyed in the national flag colours on her last appearance in a major individual final — found her legs just could not keep up with the younger rivals and she finished an honourable sixth in 11.03sec.