Jefferson-Wooden takes gold and place among fastest ever

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has dominated women's sprinting in 2025. Now the American has put a bow on her historic year by winning her first world title and conjuring one of the most spectacular 100m performances in history.

- Sean Ingle

On a balmy night in Tokyo the 24-year-old American took gold in 10.61sec, a time that was not only a championship record but made her the fourth fastest woman in history: Only Florence Griffith-Joyner, Elaine Thompson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have gone faster.

Given she has already lowered her personal best by 0.19sec this season after an injury-plagued 2024, who knows what else might be around the corner. "This year has been nothing short of a dream," she said.

"I have been working so hard for this very moment to come out here. I just focused on my execution so to put together the perfect race at the right time just means so much to me."

Asked later at her press conference whether it was possible she might one day break the world record of 10.49, Jefferson-Wooden did not entirely rule it out. "As far as world records go, Flo Jo is the greatest to do it. She has put a number out there that's definitely worth chasing."

Usually at world championships the 100m men's and women's finals have top billing on separate nights. Here they were squeezed together just seven minutes apart. It made for great drama.