The race was marked by heartbreak for Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, disqualified for a false start.
The World Athletics Championships in Tokyo delivered fireworks on Day Two, with both the men’s and women’s 100m finals producing fresh champions and unforgettable drama on the track.
In the women’s showdown, Melissa Jefferson (USA), mostly unbeaten this season, announced herself as the new sprint queen, storming to gold in a championship record 10.61 seconds.
World defending champion Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) could not replicate her past brilliance, finishing fifth in 10.94, while rising Jamaican star Tina Clayton surged to silver in a personal best 10.76. Julien Alfred (St. Lucia) claimed bronze in 10.84, securing her nation a historic medal.
Veteran icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) bowed out of the World Championships stage with dignity, finishing sixth in 11.03. Though off the podium, the five-time world champion leaves behind a legacy that has defined women’s sprinting for more than a decade.
The men’s 100m final was no less dramatic. Jamaica’s Oblique Seville (JAM) produced the race of his career, blasting to a personal best 9.77 to claim gold. His countryman Kishane Thompson powered through in 9.82, sealing a Jamaican one-two that rekindled memories of the Usain Bolt era much to the legend’s (Bolt) loud celebrations on the terraces.
American superstar Noah Lyles, widely tipped for gold, had to settle for bronze in 9.89, a season’s best, while compatriot Kenneth Bednarek followed in fourth with 9.92.
The race was marked by heartbreak for Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, disqualified for a false start.
Women’s 100m Final – Results
- Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA) – 10.61 (CR)
- Tina Clayton (JAM) – 10.76 (PB)
- Julien Alfred (LCA) – 10.84
- Shericka Jackson (JAM) – 10.88 (=SB)
- Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) – 10.94 (SB)
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) – 11.03
- Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (CIV) – 11.04
- Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) – 11.08
Men’s 100m Final – Results
- Oblique Seville (JAM) – 9.77 (PB)
- Kishane Thompson (JAM) – 9.82
- Noah Lyles (USA) – 9.89 (SB)
- Kenneth Bednarek (USA) – 9.92
- Gift Leotlela (RSA) – 9.95
- Kayinsola Ajayi (NGR) – 10.00
- Akani Simbine (RSA) – 10.04
- Letsile Tebogo (BOT) – DQ (TR16.8, false start)