The world of athletics in a moment soaked in symbolism and Tokyo rain has witnessed the passage of torch-or more appropriately, a baton-as Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce bowed from its last world athletics championship while Melissa Jefferson lifted history.
In the dramatic last night at the National Stadium, Jefferson-Woden helped the United States to Gold in the 4x100m relay, to complete the rare and famous three times the sprint-100 m, 200 mA relay- to become only the second woman in history to achieve this performance at one world championship.
The first to do it? Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, which completed sweeping in 2013. On Sunday she was once again on the track-time for the last time.
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Fraser-Pryce, now 38 and three months shy from her 39th birthday, ended sixth in the 100m final earlier at the meeting and clocked 11.03 seconds. However, the location found for the location. Her presence, her Poise and her inheritance, bounced far beyond the finish line.
“It was a phenomenal career,” she said after the race with a smile and her signature of the Jamaican flag -colored hair that was shaking behind her. “It has always been my privilege to represent my country and also lead female athletes in terms of who they are and how they want to define their inheritance.”
For 18 years, Fraser-Pryce resisted expectations-not with its blinding speed, but with its durability. After giving birth to her son Zyon in 2017, she returned to the track and shocked the world by winning a 100m world title in 2019, then prevented him in 2022. She redefined what was possible for women – especially mothers – in elite sport.
Fraser-Pryce, which was brought up by her mother in one room in one of the poorest Jamaican neighborhoods, has always been one of the hard determinations, gravel and grace.
“In order to have this moment with a full circle-character about hard work, determination, determination and setting their own goals,” she thought. “According to God’s grace, I was able to achieve it.”
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden takes a baton of Sprint Queen
When the crowd in Tokyo stood in applause for Queen Sprint, it was appropriate that a woman who got to the center of attention was someone who followed right in her footsteps.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden at the age of just 24 years old brought a breathtaking performance during the meeting. She claimed gold in 100 m and 200 meters – both dominant – and returned on Sunday to operate the critical third stage of 4x100m relays. Her blazing curve was handled by the baton Sha’Carri Richardson, who anchored the US team in 41.75 seconds. Jamaica approached the heartbreaking at 41.79, sealing silver-and gave Fraser-Pryce her 17th and the final World Championship.
Germany claimed bronze at 41.87, thanks to the stormy last leg by Gina Lkenkymper.
But all eyes were on Jefferson-Wooden-A Fraser-Pryce.
In one race, history has folded into itself. The new name joined the exclusive club, while the live legend said goodbye. Jefferson-Wooden, as well as Fraser-Pryce in front of her, conquered a triple crown of sprinting. Yet it was the first to do it in the era formed by Fraser-Pryce defiance of the limits and the embrace of the link.
“Sweep 100 m, 200 ma relay-and do it at the same stadium where Fraser-Pryce said goodbye-it is unreal,” Jefferson-Wooden said. “I wouldn’t be here without her example.”
When the rain drizzled and yelled the crowd, the moment crossed the medal. It was a walk-by-a-mezi browsing two of all time.
And so Tokyo became a stage where one queen bowed, and the other rose – where Sprinting’s past and the future met the same.
– ends
Published:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
September 21, 2025
