Jefferson-Wooden and Seville Claim 100m Titles at World Championships

The 2025 World Athletics Championships showcased a thrilling display of sprinting talent, with Melissa Jefferson-Wooden from the United States and Jamaica’s Oblique Seville emerging victorious in the women’s and men’s 100-meter finals, respectively.

Jefferson-Wooden Shatters Championship Record

In the women’s final, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, 24, delivered a stunning performance, finishing in 10.61 seconds. This remarkable time not only secured her the gold medal but also broke the previous world championship record set by Sha’Carri Richardson two years prior. Richardson, who barely qualified for the final, finished fifth with a season-best time of 10.94 seconds.

Jefferson-Wooden’s victory was decisive; she established a significant lead early in the race, quickly pulling ahead of her closest competitor, Julien Alfred. By the time she crossed the finish line, she had expanded her lead to 0.15 seconds over Jamaica’s Tina Clayton, who took home the silver medal. Alfred, who had previously beaten Richardson in Paris last year, finished third this time.

Reflecting on her achievement, Jefferson-Wooden emphasized her commitment to improvement, stating, “This year was about accepting that I wanted to be a better athlete and putting in the work to do so.” Her performance marks a significant moment in her career, particularly following a bronze medal finish at the previous year’s Olympics.

Richardson’s Struggles

Richardson’s journey to the final was fraught with challenges. After finishing third in her semifinal heat, she had to anxiously await confirmation of her place in the final. Starting in Lane 2, she was unable to find her rhythm and became a non-factor in the race. As Jefferson-Wooden celebrated her victory, Richardson could be seen pacing the track, visibly disappointed.

The outcome of the race also marked the end of an era for Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, one of the sport’s all-time greats, who finished sixth in her final championship appearance.

Seville’s Triumph in the Men’s Final

In the men’s final, Oblique Seville, also 24, claimed the gold medal with a time of 9.77 seconds, overcoming a slow start to outpace his compatriot Kishane Thompson, who finished with the silver. Seville’s victory was particularly significant as it marked the first time a Jamaican sprinter had won the men’s 100m title since the retirement of Usain Bolt in 2017.

Seville, trained by Glen Mills—Bolt’s former coach—has been recognized as one of the brightest young talents in sprinting. Although he had previously struggled to perform at his best in major competitions, this race proved to be a turning point. After falling behind early, Seville remained calm and steadily closed the gap on Thompson, ultimately securing the win.

The men’s race faced a brief interruption when Letsile Tebogo of Botswana was disqualified for a false start, necessitating a restart. This incident added an element of drama to an already high-stakes competition.

A New Era in Sprinting

The performances of Jefferson-Wooden and Seville raise questions about the future of sprinting as they establish themselves as frontrunners in their respective events. With the next Olympic Games set to take place in Los Angeles in three years, the athletics community will be closely watching both athletes to see if they can maintain their momentum.

Jefferson-Wooden, who has been training in Florida alongside Richardson, has shown remarkable growth since winning the U.S. title in 2022. Her dedication to the sport is evident, and she is now just 0.12 seconds shy of the legendary world record held by Florence Griffith-Joyner since 1988.

“Obviously, having the championship record, even though it was ‘Carri’s, it’s mine now,” Jefferson-Wooden remarked, reflecting on her historic achievement.

Conclusion

The 2025 World Athletics Championships served as a platform for emerging stars in track and field, with Jefferson-Wooden and Seville leading the charge. Their victories not only highlight their individual talents but also signal a potential shift in the sprinting landscape as they prepare for future competitions.

Key Facts

– **Winners**: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA) in women’s 100m; Oblique Seville (Jamaica) in men’s 100m.
– **Jefferson-Wooden’s Time**: 10.61 seconds, breaking Sha’Carri Richardson’s previous championship record.
– **Seville’s Time**: 9.77 seconds, defeating compatriot Kishane Thompson.
– **Richardson’s Finish**: Fifth place with a season-best of 10.94 seconds.
– **Fraser-Pryce’s Final Race**: Finished sixth in her last championship appearance.

Source: www.espn.com