We could be on the brink of a new world champion in the women’s 100m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, as Georgetown’s own Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is making a strong case for her place among the sport’s elite. With reigning champion Sha’Carri Richardson struggling through a stagnant year, Jefferson has seized the spotlight. Undefeated in all her 100m races this season, her stellar performance in Brussels has the athletics community buzzing; many are now convinced she could claim the crown next month.

At the King Baudouin Stadium, Jefferson maintained the lead from the very start, making sure all her opponents saw was her back. Clocking an impressive 10.76 seconds in Brussels, she outpaced Sha’Carri Richardson, who finally secured a podium finish this season but with a time far behind Jefferson’s at 11.08 seconds. After her dominant performance in Brussels, fans were confident about her World Championship victory, and the recent updates from Track & Field Gazette have only strengthened their conviction.

Reports reveal that out of the top 10 fastest times in women’s 100m this season, six belong to Jefferson, a clear display of dominance. She opened her campaign at the Kingston Grand Slam, clocking 11.11s in the 100m and 23.46s in the 200m, winning both. Since then, she’s been untouchable. After clinching the USATF national crown with a blistering 10.65s in the 100m (new PB) and 21.84s in the 200m (another PB), her Diamond League run was nothing short of spectacular.

Talking about her performances, she stated, “You know, at this point, it’s just about consistency and practice making perfect. You know, I feel like I’ve done a very good job of being disciplined in who I am this year and who I want to be as an athlete. And I feel like that discipline is getting me the times that I want to see, the results that I want to get.”

With her eyes set on the 2025 Tokyo World Championship, Melissa Jefferson has pulled out of the Diamond League finale scheduled to take place in Zurich at the end of this month. She stated that she needs to focus on preparing for her championship race. This revelation has only made people more intrigued by Jefferson. Let’s take a look at what they have to say.

Track and Field community rallies behind Melissa Jefferson after recent performance

Interestingly, Jefferson’s personal best of 10.65 was also what Sha’Carri Richardson clocked back in 2023 when she became the world champion. And so a netizen posed a question, “Damn. Who’s gonna beat her..” Another fan, however, was more certain about what Melissa Jefferson Wooden can achieve in Tokyo: ” Melissa ah gwaan man. Laàs gad! She could go 10.59 in Tokyo. Watch out for her.” 

Back-to-back record-breaking performances have made fans certain that no one can oust Jefferson. “Melissa is eating! My God!” added another fan. Of course, it was always her idea to go for the gold. “The plan is definitely to go out there and take gold. I feel like I put myself in a really good spot to be a contender for that, and now it’s time to have trust.”

Back in 2024, Sha’Carri Richardson clocked 10.71 seconds on June 22, 2024, at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, making her the fastest in the season. However, despite that, at the Paris Olympics, Julien Alfred from Saint Lucia clinched the gold medal from her hands by clocking a 10.72-second time, while she came second, clocking 10.87 seconds. A fan believes that it’s the execution that matters: “Richardson had the fastest time last season but got silver at the Olympics. Execution matters when it counts. Richardson decided to have her worst start ever at the worst time ever but she still powered her way from last to silver.”

Furthermore, another fan believes, “The World Championships is MJ’s.” Last but not least, a social media user expressed that, “Can’t wait to see Melissa at Tokyo and leave everyone to dust.”

With nothing but the intent to clinch the world championship title, Jefferson is on a journey to claim it as her own. Speaking to the media, she stated, “I’m so grateful for everyone in my circle who helped and pushed me to get here. This year, I have put in a lot of work, and that is what makes me confident; I know what I’m capable of. This is probably the first season that I have zero doubts because I know that I worked hard.” Will she be able to maintain her composure and consistency in Tokyo, or will she pull a Richardson 2024? Time will tell.