American sprinter does not rule out chasing world record

Tia Clayton takes silver and bronze goes to Julian Alfred

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

That might sound like hyperbole. But the 24-year-old American’s winning time of 10.61 was not only a championship record but made her the fourth fastest woman in history. Incredibly only Florence Griffith Joyner, Elaine Thompson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have gone faster than the 24-year-old Jefferson on this balmy night in Tokyo.

“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.”