The women’s 100m at the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo promises to be one of the most electrifying showdowns of the season. At the heart of the hype are two young sprinters who have completely redefined the global sprinting landscape in 2025: the United States’ Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred.
Between them, they own nine of the ten fastest times in the world this year, a statistic that highlights not only their dominance but also the consistency with which they have delivered on the biggest stages.
Jefferson-Wooden, the 2022 U.S. national champion who has matured into a powerhouse over the past three seasons, enters Tokyo with supreme confidence. Her trademark explosive start has always been her weapon, but this year she has added a finishing gear that has made her almost untouchable.
Her world-leading 10.65 seconds set in June in Eugene remains the benchmark performance of the season. What is most striking about Jefferson-Wooden’s campaign is her ability to consistently dip below 10.80, a mark once reserved for the very elite. With multiple sub-10.75s already in the books, she has elevated herself into conversation not just as a medal contender but as the outright favorite for gold.
Standing alongside her is Julien Alfred, the pride of Saint Lucia and one of the Caribbean’s most successful sprinters in history. Alfred, who turned professional after a glittering NCAA career at the University of Texas, has been nothing short of sensational in 2025. Known for her fluid stride and remarkable top-end speed, she has produced a string of personal bests that now rank among the fastest ever seen by a Caribbean woman.
Her 10.68 performance in Monaco and 10.70 in Zurich cemented her status as Jefferson-Wooden’s closest rival and a genuine contender for the world title. For Alfred, every race has been a chance to prove that Saint Lucia can produce a global champion in athletics, and the weight of national pride seems to be driving her to new heights.
Together, the pair’s dominance has reshaped the women’s 100m narrative. In a season where traditional heavyweights such as Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson have been quieter due to injuries or selective racing schedules, Jefferson-Wooden and Alfred have seized the spotlight. Their nine times inside the global top ten speak not only to raw speed but also to reliability, a crucial ingredient heading into a championship where rounds can test even the most talented sprinters.
The clash in Tokyo will be more than just a battle of raw times; it will be a duel of styles. Jefferson-Wooden thrives on her lightning reaction out of the blocks and powerful acceleration phases, often establishing an early lead that is hard to claw back. Alfred, on the other hand, has a smoother build-up, with her top-end speed carrying her through the final 40 meters.
That contrast sets up a tactical spectacle—if Jefferson-Wooden is ahead early, can Alfred close her down? Or will Jefferson-Wooden’s improved finish hold firm against Alfred’s late charge?
For fans, the excitement is in knowing that the world’s fastest women have already pushed each other to peak form.
With nine of the ten best times of 2025 belonging to these two rising stars, the World Championships 100m final is shaping up as one of the most anticipated races of the decade. Whether it’s Jefferson-Wooden confirming her status as the face of U.S. sprinting or Alfred etching her name in Caribbean history, Tokyo will provide the ultimate stage for a rivalry that is only just beginning.
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