U.S. sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden stormed to a world-leading 21.68s to clinch the women’s 200m title at the World Athletics Championships 2025, completing a remarkable sprint double.
Historic achievement
The 24-year-old, who won the 100m earlier this week, became the first woman since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2013 to claim both sprint titles at a single world championships. She is also the first American woman in history to achieve the feat.
Hunt’s breakthrough
Britain’s Amy Hunt produced the performance of her career to grab silver in 22.14, while Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, the 2023 world champion, took bronze in 22.18. For Hunt, it was her first major international medal.
“I’ve cried so many tears. I haven’t stopped smiling. I probably won’t stop smiling for the next 24 hours,” she said.
Race drama
The final began with a false start from Bahamas’ Anthonique Strachan, but Jefferson-Wooden quickly regained her focus. She exploded off the bend, pulled ahead of Jackson, and surged down the home straight to seal the gold.
“It was very special,” Jefferson-Wooden said. “I knew there was a high chance for me to complete the double, but I only realised tonight that makes me the first American woman to do it. I was kind of freaking out!”
Changing of the guard
Jefferson-Wooden’s victory caps a stunning rise since her bronze medal in the 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In just 13 months, she has established herself as the face of women’s sprinting, edging past established stars like Jackson and Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred.
As athletics looks toward future rivalries, all eyes will now be on a potential showdown between Jefferson-Wooden and her U.S. teammate Sha’Carri Richardson, who is yet to complete the sprint double on the global stage.
Discussion about this post