Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has emerged as one of the most dominant sprinters in the world this season, maintaining an unbeaten record in the 100m while also stamping her authority in the 200m. The American sprinter has shown blistering form in 2025, securing victory after victory and firmly positioning herself as the favourite for a sprints double at the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo.
The 24-year-old has clocked impressive times throughout the campaign, most notably running 10.66 seconds in Silesia and following it up with a 10.76-second win in Brussels. Her consistency in both short sprint events has not only made her one of the most feared athletes on the circuit but also raised expectations of her capturing her first world title next month.
Jefferson-Wooden attributes her success this year to discipline and consistency. She believes that staying focused on her training, perfecting her routines, and maintaining high standards has given her the edge over her rivals. According to her, it is this discipline that has translated into the times and results she has been producing week after week.
With the regular season winding down, Jefferson-Wooden plans to return home to refine her preparations for Tokyo. She insists that most of the hard work has already been done, and what remains now is fine-tuning the smaller aspects of her race. For her, the World Championships will come down to who executes with the fewest mistakes, and she is determined to be that athlete.
Reflecting on her previous appearance at the Worlds in 2022, where she finished eighth in the 100m, Jefferson-Wooden sees Tokyo as the stage to cement her status among the best. She views this opportunity not as a burden but as a mission to claim the gold medal that has so far eluded her.
Her mindset is clear: keep the main focus on refining her start, drive phase, and execution in order to deliver when it matters most. With rivals like Sha’Carri Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also eyeing glory, Jefferson-Wooden’s current hot streak makes her the sprinter to beat. As the countdown to the World Championships continues, she has sent a strong message to the rest of the field she is ready, confident, and chasing history.
