Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Sets Records With World Sprint Double Win

Last Updated:September 19, 2025, 20:26 IST

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won the 200 metres in 21.68 seconds, becoming the first woman since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2013 to achieve the world sprint double.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (at number 6) shows the difference between her and competition. (AFP Photo)

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden became the first woman since Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2013 to achieve the world sprint double, securing victory in the 200 metres on Friday. The 24-year-old American clocked 21.68 seconds in a commanding win, with Briton Amy Hunt impressively finishing second in 22.14 seconds, and two-time defending champion Shericka Jackson of Jamaica taking third in 22.18 seconds.

Jefferson-Wooden’s triumph marked the first victory for an American since Alysson Felix won her third title. The race was notable for the absence of Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, who withdrew due to injury before the championships, and last year’s silver medallist Julien Alfred, who pulled out before the heats with a hamstring issue.

Coached by the controversial former sprinter Dennis Mitchell, who had served a doping ban during his career, Jefferson-Wooden handled the favourite’s pressure excellently. Not even the disqualification of veteran Bahamian Anthonique Strachan for a false start fazed her.

Jefferson-Wooden emerged from the bend into the finishing straight well ahead, with no one able to catch her. Despite Jackson’s efforts to close the gap, the 31-year-old was overtaken by the fast-finishing 23-year-old Hunt.

While Jefferson-Wooden celebrated her transformation from a 100m Olympic bronze medallist last year to a double world champion, Jackson collapsed in disappointment. In contrast, Hunt ran back down the track, burst into tears, and hugged her mother in the friends and family area.

For her older teammate Dina Asher-Smith, the 2019 world champion, it was a disappointing fifth-place finish, reflecting a decline in her performance. Asher-Smith, though experienced, has not been around as long as Marie-Josee Ta Lou Smith, a dual silver medallist from 2017. The resilient Ivorian didn’t challenge for the medals but reaching her 13th individual global championship final was an achievement for the 36-year-old.

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