Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025: Melissa Jefferson Wooden and Tina Clayton are 1 2 for World 100m

By: Denise N. Fyffe

In one of the most electrifying moments of the World Athletics Championships, Melissa Jefferson Wooden delivered the performance of her life to win the women’s 100 metres title in a blistering 10.61 seconds, setting a new championship record and clocking the fourth-fastest time in history.

The 23-year-old American sprinter exploded out of the blocks and never looked back, crossing the line with a clear margin of victory to claim her first global crown on the sport’s grandest stage.

Behind her, Jamaica’s Tina Clayton rose to the occasion, smashing her personal best with 10.76 to secure the silver medal, while Olympic champion Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia added another major medal to her growing résumé with bronze in 10.84.

Women’s 100m Final Results — Tokyo 2025

Position	Athlete	Nation	Time
1	Melissa Jefferson Wooden	USA	10.61 CR
2	Tina Clayton	JAM	10.76 PB
3	Julien Alfred	LCA	10.84
4	Shericka Jackson	JAM	10.88
5	Sha’Carri Richardson	USA	10.94 SB
6	Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce	JAM	11.03

Jefferson Wooden’s Defining Moment

The victory marked a career breakthrough for Jefferson Wooden, who had steadily climbed the global ranks but had yet to secure an individual world title. Her flawless execution under pressure was a masterclass in sprinting precision.

Her 10.61 not only rewrote the championship record books but also confirmed her place among the fastest women in history, joining the rarefied company of Florence Griffith-Joyner, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

The Podium Battle

For Jamaica, Tina Clayton’s silver marked her arrival as the next big star in a storied sprinting dynasty. The 19-year-old’s 10.76 was a statement performance and a glimpse into a future where she could take over from the legends she grew up admiring.

Julien Alfred, already a household name after her Olympic triumph in Paris 2024, kept Saint Lucia on the global sprinting map with her bronze. Though not at her absolute best, Alfred’s 10.84 was enough to edge past a stacked field.

Shericka Jackson, one of Jamaica’s most versatile and decorated athletes, narrowly missed the podium in fourth with 10.88, while defending world champion Sha’Carri Richardson managed a seasonal best of 10.94 for fifth after battling inconsistency throughout the season.

A Legend’s Last Bow

The final also marked the farewell of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the Jamaican sprint icon whose career has spanned nearly two decades of dominance. The five-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist closed her chapter with sixth place in 11.03, receiving a standing ovation from the Tokyo crowd.

Her presence in the final symbolized the bridge between sprinting’s golden past and its thrilling future, with Jefferson Wooden, Clayton, and Alfred now carrying the mantle forward.

A Shift in Sprinting Power

With Jefferson Wooden’s record-breaking triumph, the women’s 100m has entered a new era. For the United States, her victory reasserts American dominance in the event, while Jamaica and Saint Lucia remain formidable forces, ensuring the rivalry on the track remains as compelling as ever.

As the championship continues, all eyes will remain on Melissa Jefferson Wooden — the newest name etched into the sprinting pantheon.

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About the writer: Denise N. Fyffe is a publisher and author for more than 15 years. She has written more than 70 books and enjoys mentoring, gardening and traveling. She is also a trainer and educator, helping others to achieve their dreams.