From the beginning of the season, the women’s 100m had been framed as a two-horse race but with upsets being an unforgiven element in Athletics, the unexpected could happen and the women’s 100m final in Tokyo delivered that drama in spectacular fashion.
The stage was set for Julien Alfred, the reigning Olympic Champion and world leader Melissa Jefferson-Wooden who came to the championships with four 10.6s clockings under her belt. The last time they went head to head was at the Prefontaine Classics where Jefferson emerged victorious by a whisker.
The final was stacked with one of the most decorated line ups ever, including the entire podium from last edition; Sha’Carri Richardson the defending champion, vice champion Shericka Jackson, and veteran Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce who was running her last individual career race. Others were African Record holder Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith, Tina Clayton and Dina Asher-Smith. Still, all eyes were on Jefferson and Alfred.
Both women jumped out of the blocks, but by 30 metres Jefferson had switched gears, and at 70 metres she began to separate from the field. Clayton surged past Alfred, while Jackson made a late charge from the outside.
Jefferson stormed to the finish in a new Championships Record (CR) and Personal Best (PB) of 10.61s, smashing the previous record of 10.65s set by her compatriot Richardson in 2023.
Clayton earned the Silver in a PB of 10.76, upsetting Alfred who had to dip to avoid being knocked out of the podium by a charging Jackson in 10.84s to the latter’s 10.88s.
Richardson took 5th in 10.94s while Fraser Pryce (11.03s) and Ta Lou-Smith (11.04s) were 6th and 7th respectively. Asher Smith was 8th in 11.08s
