Three-time world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has revealed how a major change in mindset transformed her career and led to a historic triple gold haul at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 24-year-old sprinter delivered one of the most remarkable performances of the season, winning gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. She set a new championship record in the 100m, becoming the fastest American woman alive, and proved her versatility by dominating the 200m on her debut in the event at a major competition.
Jefferson-Wooden attributed her success to a new mental approach that helped her stay composed and confident under pressure. “When I get to the line and hear ‘On your marks,’ I tell myself, ‘Here we go,’” she said, describing her pre-race mindset. But the real transformation came this season when she began reminding herself of her past defeats not as failures, but as fuel. “You’ve lined up with all these amazing ladies before, and the outcome wasn’t what you wanted,” she would tell herself. “If they beat you before, they won’t get you again.”
That self-belief carried her through the season, marking a powerful turnaround after a difficult period. Jefferson-Wooden had missed the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris due to an Achilles rupture sustained during the trials. Although she managed to qualify for the 100m, she wasn’t strong enough to compete in the 200m — a disappointment that lingered into 2025. Determined to make up for lost time, she worked closely with her coaches to build endurance and power for the longer sprint, a decision that paid off spectacularly in Tokyo.
Despite her record-breaking form, Jefferson-Wooden admitted there was still room for improvement. Her 100m winning time of 10.61 seconds ranks fourth in history, just behind legends like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Florence Griffith-Joyner. Reflecting on that race, she confessed she could have gone even faster with slightly better conditions. “It was the fastest I’ve ever run, but I still see areas where I could have improved — especially my start,” she noted.
With three world titles and unmatched momentum, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden now has her eyes firmly set on one goal: breaking Florence Griffith-Joyner’s iconic 10.49-second world record and solidifying her place among the all-time greats of sprinting.
