World Champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Eyes 200m
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden seeks to become the first American woman to win the 200m title since Allyson Felix in 2009 after her impressive 100m win.
“I had overcome so much to get to that Olympic final that the bronze in my eyes was a gold medal because I had started the year with a lingering.. ”
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden made history by becoming the world 100m champion with an incredible 10.61-second run, making her the fourth-fastest woman in history. She's already setting her sights on the world record, believing 10.5 and beyond is possible. Florence Griffith-Joyner's 37-year-old record of 10.49 seconds has been a benchmark, with Elaine Thompson-Herah's 10.54 seconds in 2021 being the closest attempt to break it.
Jefferson-Wooden's confidence stems from her recent performance, where she delivered a smooth display to finish ahead of Jamaican Tina Clayton and Olympic champion Julien Alfred. She's eager to take on the 200m event, stating, “I'm the 100m world champion, but in the 200, it's 0-0, and I start again.” With Julien Alfred now injured, Jefferson-Wooden's 21.84 seconds make her the fastest woman in the field this year.
Jefferson-Wooden aims to become the first American winner of the 200m since Allyson Felix in 2009 and the first American woman to complete the sprint double legally since Kelli White in 2003. Her coaches were initially skeptical about her ambitions, but she's determined to prove herself. She emphasizes focusing on execution, saying, “That's what gets you the results you want.”
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, 24, is riding high after her stunning 100m world title win in Tokyo, where she clocked a championship record 10.61 seconds. When asked about her thoughts on potentially breaking the world record, currently held by Florence Griffith-Joyner at 10.49 seconds, Jefferson-Wooden expressed confidence in her abilities. “You've certainly got no regrets after running 10.61,” she said, hinting that she's capable of reaching even greater heights.
Jefferson-Wooden believes she has the potential to break the world record, stating she had the potential to run 10.5 seconds during her recent win. With her current form and youth, she's optimistic about achieving this feat in the future. Her impressive performance in Tokyo has solidified her position as one of the top sprinters in the world.
The new 100m 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, ladies and gentlemen! 👑
— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) September 14, 2025
🇯🇲 Oblique Seville 9.77s
🇺🇸 Melissa Jefferson-Wooden 10.61s pic.twitter.com/nzplJIwz1W
“I was happy with every aspect of the race but still wish I had been able to separate a little sooner. And then there's no telling what I could have run. I'm grateful for what I did but I'm still hungry for much more because I know that it's there.”
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden's impressive streak of sub-11 second races leading up to the World Championships paid off when she claimed the 100m title with a remarkable 10.61-second run. She attributed her success to focusing on the process, stating, “If I was able to focus on the process, then it could and should be my night.” This mindset allowed her to deliver a smooth performance, outpacing Jamaican Tina Clayton (10.76) and Olympic champion Julien Alfred (10.84).
Jefferson-Wooden's experience handling pressure was evident as she drew on her bronze medal win at the previous year's Olympics. She was accustomed to the noise and pressure of big finals, which helped her stay focused and execute her plan. Her confidence and composure under pressure were key factors in her championship win.
“I wanted to just keep the main thing the main thing, and that is to focus on my execution because that's what gets you the results you want,” she said.
“My coach has been telling me these last couple of weeks to just be yourself, don't try to overdo it.”
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has undergone significant growth as an athlete, transforming from a self-doubting young runner to a confident world champion. After finishing last in the 100m final at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, she experienced a defining moment that sparked her drive to succeed. "That was a moment that definitely defined me, and then my drive ever since then has been shooting for the stars," she said, reflecting on her journey. Her breakthrough year culminated in a remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics, where she won a bronze medal and a sprint relay gold, validating her self-belief and solidifying her position as a top sprinter.
Jefferson-Wooden's experience resonates with the concept of impostor syndrome, a phenomenon where individuals doubt their abilities and feel like impostors despite their achievements. Many high-achievers, including athletes and thought leaders, face this challenge. To overcome impostor syndrome, experts recommend acknowledging and celebrating one's achievements, practicing self-compassion, and focusing on continuous learning and growth. By recognizing her strengths and accomplishments, Jefferson-Wooden has been able to build confidence and push herself to new heights.
“I had overcome so much to get to that Olympic final that the bronze in my eyes was a gold medal because I had started the year with a lingering
physical issue,” she said.
“So coming into this year, it was like, 'okay, how do you move on from a year where you were so happy with how you did?'
“I was proud of myself but I also knew I could have been better and so that's how I approached this year.”
Now Jefferson-Wooden is bidding to become the first American winner of the 200m since Allyson Felix in 2009, and the first American woman to legally complete the sprint double after Kelli White was stripped of both golds she won in 2003 for doping.
Her coaches, however, needed convincing when she told them at the start of the year she wanted to take the event seriously.
“They looked at me and it was like, 'wait a minute, did y'all hear what she said?' But I told them I wanted to be a contender.
“I didn't like to really focus on the extra 100 metres just because hurts, but eventually I said to myself, 'if you stop whining and complaining, you can actually be really good at this.”
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has proven her prowess in the 200m event, boasting a personal best of 21.84 seconds that now makes her the fastest woman in the field this year. With Julien Alfred's injury ruling her out, Jefferson-Wooden is poised to claim victory. Her impressive performance in the 100m, where she won with a time of 10.61 seconds, further solidifies her position as a top contender.
Jefferson-Wooden's confidence is palpable as she eyes the 200m title. “I'm the world champion in the 100m, but in the 200, it's 0-0, and I start again,” she said, emphasizing her focus on the upcoming event. With her sights set on making history as the first American woman to win the 200m since Allyson Felix in 2009, Jefferson-Wooden is determined to deliver.
“I'm actually very excited to go out in the 200 and just to see what I have in the tank,” she said. “I'm the 100m world champion but in the 200 it's 0-0 and I start again.”
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