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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce opens her 2025 season with a confident win, signaling readiness for upcoming showdowns with sprint rivals.

Jamaican sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce made a triumphant return to the track in her 300th professional race on Saturday.

The 30-year-old sprinter stormed to victory in the women’s 100m at Velocity Fest 17 and brushing aside retirement rumours with a sharp performance and a sharper message.

Fred Kerley Reacts with 3 Words After Blazing 400m Comeback

Competing at the National Stadium in Kingston, the three-time Olympic gold medallist and ten-time World champion clocked a wind-assisted 10.94 seconds (+3.1m/s) to set the fastest time of the evening.

“I haven’t confirmed that [retirement] so when I do, I’ll let you know,” Fraser-Pryce told the Sunday Observer, putting to rest growing whispers that this could be her final season on the track.

Saturday’s race marked her first competition since pulling out of the 100m semi-final at the Paris Olympics last year due to injury.

Fraser-Pryce, who has dealt with several physical setbacks over the last two years, admitted that staying healthy is now her top priority as she looks ahead to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.

“It feels good to start a bit earlier than usual and, again, it’s a long season, very long, so I’m really just making sure that I choose my races wisely, and stay healthy, and just continue to train,” she said.

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Fraser-Pryce’s return to early-season action drew attention not just for the time she posted but also for the symbolic milestone it marked — her 300th professional race since debuting in 2007.

Despite entering the twilight of her career, her fire clearly remains undimmed.

“Yes, in the last two years I have started the season late so this year, of course, I’m healthy, feeling good, so I decided to come and see what’s up,” she added.

Trailing Fraser-Pryce in her heat was Natasha Morrison, who clocked 11.01 seconds — the second-fastest time overall. Shaniqua Bascombe (11.28) rounded out the top three in that heat.

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‘I Put That Respect On Me For Me’- Sha’Carri Richardson on Earning Her Place Among Sprinting Greats

Meanwhile, Kemba Nelson won her section in 11.07 seconds, placing her third overall for the evening, followed closely by Serena Cole (11.27) and Lavanya Williams (11.31).

Tina Clayton also impressed with her 11.12 second victory in another heat, edging out Kasheika Cameron (11.27) and Mickaell Moodie (11.45).

Though Fraser-Pryce has not yet revealed her long-term plans, some insiders speculate that the sprint legend may look to bow out on the grand stage of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But for now, she’s firmly focused on the road to Tokyo.

“I haven’t competed in a long time so I really wanted to come out here and just get some practice,” Fraser-Pryce said.

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She had 15 races across two seasons — six in 2024 alone — and a short-lived Olympic campaign last year hence her 2025 opener signals a fresh start.

Switching their event to the 400m at different meets, Fred Kerley and Noah Lyles dropped impressive personal best times to keep their intense rivalry alive ahead of the US Championships in July.

Racing in the 400m for the first time since 2023, Fred Kerley cruised to a resounding victory at the Mt. SAC Relays as Olympic champion Noah Lyles settled for a fifth-place finish in the same event at the Tom Jones Invitational.

The two-time Olympic medallist channeled his early quarter-mile years that saw him with a personal best of 43.64s set in 2019, power round the track to the brilliant time of 44.73s ahead of Jayden Davis (Arizona), who ran 44.84s, while Johnnie Blockburger was third in 45.26s.

Kerley’s victory was a bounce back from his poor outing at the Grand Slam Track in Kingston, where he failed to secure a top-three finish in the 100m and 200m events.

Fred Kerley

Paris Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley won his first 400m race in two years Paris Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley

Tweeting via his X page after his 400m success, the former world champion wrote: “44.73 light work,” and fans have called on him to focus more on the event, where he has a better chance of being among the greats in history.

New Sub-10s King: Sprint icon Akani Simbine topples Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell’s 100m record

New Sub-10s King: Sprint icon Akani Simbine topples Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell’s 100m record

Meanwhile, Lyles tasted a lukewarm defeat in the 400m at the Tom Jones Invitational, having finished fifth clocking a personal best time of 45.87s.

However, he’ll take solace in the fact that it was his first-ever pro race in the event since his high school days in 2016 and he massively lowered his Personal Best (PB) from 47.04s.

Noah Lyles lost his season opener in the 400m event

Jacory Patterson won the race in a new PB of 44.27s ahead of Justin Robinson in 45.22s, while Kennedy Lightner and Alonso Russell respectively finished in third and fourth clocking 45.64s and 45.82s.

JAMAICA sent a timely reminder of its sprinting prowess by winning three of the four 100m gold medals on opening day of the 52nd Carifta Games at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad, yesterday.

After struggling earlier in the 400m and 1500m events, the Jamaicans roared back to take over the lead in the medal count on a day full of drama as defending champion in the Under-20 women’s 100m Sabrina Dockery was disqualified following a false start in the final, while both Jamaicans pulled up in the Under-20 men’s 400m final and failed to finish the race.

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A meet record in the Under-17 men’s triple jump by Amani Phillips late on Saturday, however, helped to raise the spirits in the Jamaican camp.

Jamaica led with 19 medals after the first day, consisting of seven gold, six silver and six bronze, followed closely by The Bahamas with 12 — six gold, four silver and two bronze — with Trinidad and Tobago in third place with five medals consisting of two gold, a silver and a bronze.

Pack Plays delivers a dominant performance in the Saint Cecelia Cup feature

Antigua and Barbuda, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guyana and St Lucia all won one gold.

By comparison, Jamaica are well off last year’s medal pace as after the first day in Grenada they had amassed 26 medals — 12 gold, eight silver and six bronze — going into the second day.

Jamal Stephenson and Shanoya Douglas both ran personal best times to win the Under-20 men’s and women’s 100m titles, respectively, while Michael Graham won the Under 17 title.

Stephenson ran a huge lifetime-best 10.24 seconds (-1.4m/s), lowering his previous best of 10.38 seconds to take his first Carifta gold medal while beating Trinidad and Tobago’s Dylan Woodruffe- 10.30 seconds and Granada’s Ethan Sam- 10.41 seconds, both also lowering their bests as well.

Jamaica’s Antonio Powell was fifth in 10.51 seconds.

After Dockery’s disqualification Douglas, the 200m champion from last year, delivered in a big way, running 11.26 seconds (0.3m/s), comfortably ahead of the field and under her previous best of 11.28 seconds set last year.

The usually mild-tempered runner celebrated exuberantly, beating her chest and waving to the crowd, saying later that jeers from the stands directed towards the Jamaican team had sparked a fire in her.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Geolyna Dowdye took the silver medal in 11.43 seconds, just ahead of Shatalya Dorsett of The Bahamas who took the bronze medal with 11.45 seconds.

Graham clocked 10.53 seconds (0.0m/s) to win the Under-17 men’s 100m gold, getting to the finishing line ahead of Tiondre Frett of the British Virgin Islands- 10.58 seconds and Jamaica’s Jaydon Collins was third in 10.68 seconds.

Adora Campbell repeated her silver medal performance from last year after she ran 10.67 seconds (0.2m/s) in the Under-17 women’s 100m, beaten by St Lucia’s Jady Emmanuel who ran a personal best 11.50 seconds while Brion Ward from The Bahamas was third with 11.78 seconds.

Phillips won the Under-17 men’s triple jump with a wind-aided 15.58m (3.0m/s) but his second-best mark, 15.26m (-0.7m/s), was better than the previous meet record 15.19m set in 2013 by Miguel Van Assen of Suriname.

Grenada’s Crystophe Calliste of Grenada was second with a wind-aided 15.25m (3.1m/s), and Jamaica’s Khi-Anthony Hall was third, also with a wind-aided 14.21m (2.5m/s).

Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles ran his first 400m race in nine years, making his professional debut in the event

On Saturday at the 2025 Tom Jones Invite he ran a new personal best of 45.87 seconds as he finished fifth.

Lyles aims to break the 100m and 200m records held by Usain Bolt who ran 400m during his youth career

Lyles aims to break the 100m and 200m records held by Usain Bolt who ran 400m during his youth career

The last time he ran the 400m was in 2016 when he held a personal best of 47.04s.

Prior to the race on the weekend Lyles announced on social media platform X that he would be running in the event and made a bold claim.

“Today will be my first pro 400m! Pr or Bust!,” he posted.

The American began the race with smooth steady strides much like a seasoned veteran in the 400m.

He ran the first 200m well but he then struggled in the final stretch as lactic acid built up.

Jacory Patterson claimed first place with a time of 44.2, the best in the heats.

Shorter distance sprinters often run the 400m to build overall fitness and enhance speed endurance.

Last year, Lyles told Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson that he could threaten the 400-metre world record if he ever stepped up in distance.

“My PR is 19.3 in the 200m,” he said. “And I have some pretty good strength on me as well.

“I truly would like to take a shot at the world record if I decide to move to the 400m truly and give it my 100 per cent for multiple years – yeah I’m going after the world record.”

Lyles also revealed that he will possibly run the 4x400m relay

Lyles also revealed that he will possibly run the 4x400m relayCredit:

South African Wayde van Niekerk’s time of 43.03 seconds at the 2016 Olympics is the mark to beat.

Lyles performed alongside PJ Austin, Erriyon Knighton and Christian Coleman in the 4x100m relay and clocked 37.90s.

The American sprinter is aiming to further verify his greatness after winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics where he also picked up a bronze in the 200m.

In September, the World Athletics Championships is scheduled in Tokyo and Lyles will have his eyes laser focused on claiming three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.

But Down Under, teenage sensation Gout Gout is also warming up for his first senior major competition.

Gout and Lyles spoke together on the Beyond The Records Podcast where the Australian claimed he is ‘coming for that spot’, emphasising his will to surpass the Olympic champion.

“I’m trying to show you what’s up. I’m trying to come out there with a bang,” he said.

“Whatever I’ve got to do to show Noah I’m coming for that spot.

“Obviously it’s a learning experience, but deep down I’m trying to get a medal for sure, be in that final and running up Noah or trying to chase Noah down.”

Top-tier performances lit up the 2025 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational, held Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19 in Gainesville, Florida, as some of the world’s leading sprinters and hurdlers opened their outdoor seasons with blazing times.

Julien Alfred Dominates in Season-Opening 200m

Saint Lucia’s Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred kicked off her 2025 campaign with authority, clocking 21.88 (0.2m/s) to dominate the women’s 200m. The performance is the second-fastest wind-legal time ever recorded this early in the year and narrowly missed her national record of 21.86 from London 2024. Alfred’s margin of victory—nearly half a second—underscored her form. Nigeria’s Favour Ofili took second in 22.34, followed by Tamari Davis (22.37) and Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke (22.57).

Women’s 200m Olympic Dev. Heat 1 Results

POS. NAME MARK

1 Julien Alfred 21.88

2 Favour Ofili 22.34

3 Tamari Davis 22.37

4 Rhasidat Adeleke 22.57

5 Daryll Neita 22.89

6 Niesha Burgher 23.09

DNS Thelma Davies

Charamba Breaks 20 Seconds, Fahnbulleh Impresses

Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba made headlines in the men’s 200m, running a lifetime best of 19.99 (-0.8m/s) to break the 20-second barrier. In a separate heat, Liberian Olympic finalist Joseph Fahnbulleh posted a strong 20.07 (1.3m/s) to secure the win.

Sprint Hurdles: Cunningham and Stark Upset the Olympic Champions

In Saturday’s sprint hurdles, USA’s Trey Cunningham edged out Olympic champion Grant Holloway, posting a sharp 13.09 (1.5m/s) in his season debut—just 0.09 off his personal best. Holloway, returning for his first race since his World Indoor 60m hurdles triumph, finished second in 13.18. Dylan Beard rounded out the top three in 13.33.

On the women’s side, Grace Stark opened her season in style, winning the 100m hurdles final in 12.59 (-0.7m/s). She had earlier qualified with a swift 12.51 (0.2m/s) in the heats. Masai Russell finished runner-up in 12.65, with Christina Clemons third in 12.82.

Men’s 400m Produces Early World Lead

The men’s 400m saw two world-leading marks fall within minutes. First, Jacory Patterson won his heat in 44.27, while Noah Lyles, contesting his first professional 400m, ran 45.87 for fifth. Just two heats later, Chris Robinson—primarily a 400m hurdler—surged to a massive PB of 44.15, overtaking Patterson’s mark to claim the new world lead. Matthew Boling followed in 44.92.

Lyles, though out of his usual distance, also delivered fireworks in the 4x100m relay, anchoring a stacked Team USA alongside Christian Coleman, Pjai Austin, and Erriyon Knighton to a commanding win in 37.90.

Women’s 400m and 100m Sparkle

Aaliyah Butler delivered the day’s fastest women’s 400m, slicing more than half a second off her previous best to clock 49.44, signaling her arrival on the global scene.

Meanwhile, Anavia Battle became the first woman in 2025 to break the 11-second barrier in the 100m, recording a new personal best of 10.98 (1.6m/s).

In the men’s Olympic Development 100m final, Kanyinsola Ajayi, clocked wind legal 9.96 for the win (the 2nd fastest time this year in the world.

With multiple world leads, personal bests, and promising season openers, the 2025 Tom Jones Memorial delivered a powerful preview of what’s to come this year in global track and field.

Julien Alfred triumphs in 200m season opener at Tom Jones Invitational, Kayinsola Ajayi takes men’s 100m

The Paris 2024 Olympic women’s 100m champion began her 200m season with a victory at the invitational in Gainesville, Florida

Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Olympic champion Julien Alfred began her 200m season in style with victory at the Tom Jones Invitational on Friday (18 April).

Saint Lucia’s maiden Olympic medallist stormed to the finish line in 21.88s in the women’s 200m final in Gainesville, Florida (USA). This was her first 200m race of the season, having claimed Olympic silver in the event at Paris 2024.

Alfred finished ahead of fellow Olympians Favour Ofili of Nigeria and USA’s Tamari Davis, who completed the podium in the six-strong final.

The Saint Lucian double Olympic medallist’s performance was just 0.02s off her national record, which was set in London in July 2024.

In the men’s 100m final on Saturday (19 April), Nigerian Olympian Kayinsola Ajayi ran a sub-10 second wind-assisted race to take the title. Ajayi came in at 9.96s ahead of USA duo Jelani Watkins and Mccallum T’mars.

Over in the women’s 100m final, it was a home triumph for Team USA thanks to Anavia Battle, the first woman to break the 11-second 100m barrier in 2025. She finished on top in 10.98s, pipping McKenzie Long and Maia McCoy by 0.04s.