World Championship: Jefferson-Wooden, Alfred Cruise over 100 meters

The world leader Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and the Olympic champion Julien Alfred took the first step to their highly expected 100 meters at the World Championship by releasing the first round of warming on Saturday.

American Jefferson-Woden conveniently won the opening heat in 10.99 seconds after relaxing, while St Lucian Alfred set off from the blocks to control the fourth at the 10.93-fastest day.

The ruling world champion Sha’Carri Richardson created his best time to advance, but this year failed for the first time within 11 seconds and crossed the border at 11.03.

Tina Clayton was the fastest Jamaican at 11.01 and her very decorated teammates Sherick Jackson, who ran 11.04, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who ran 11.09 to start her final meeting before retirement, joined her in the semifinals.

British Daryll Neita ran the second fastest time of the bike behind Alfred at 10.94, while Torrie Lewis interrupted the Australian record to advance at 11.08.

Given that Richardson’s decline in the form this year focused on 100 meters of women in the battle of the domination between Jefferson-Wooden and Alfred, who both seek their first individual world titles in Tokyo.

Jefferson-Wooden is undefeated this season, including victory over Alfred in Oregon, and threw a series of 11 seconds, including the fastest year, 10.65 to win American trials.

“I’m just looking forward to tomorrow to take it on a notch,” said the 24-year-old last year, who won the bronze behind Alfred and Richardson at the Paris Olympic Games.

“I’m already sticking to a really high standard and expectations, so I don’t really feel the pressure of the outside world.”

Alfred fought injuries in the middle of the year, but seemed to be approaching its best form in time for Tokyo, when last month won the Diamond League finals in 10.76 seconds.

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Published:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

September 13, 2025