This US track and field star has officially joined the legendary league of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah, an exclusive group of women who have broken the 10.70-second barrier in the 100 meters. Clocking 10.66 seconds at the 2025 Silesia Diamond League, she proved she belongs among the sport’s all-time greats. Her 10.65-second run at the USATF Outdoor Championships set a personal best, the fastest time in the world this year, and the fifth-fastest ever. Now, her recent comment might pose a threat to Sha’Carri Richardson.

In the Diamond League press conference, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden spoke openly about her journey. She remembered her first professional meet three years ago at the Silesia Diamond League, where Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ran 10.66, and said that matching it now feels like proof she’s on the right path. Watching Shelly dominate in 2022 pushed her to work harder, and analyzing past performances reminds her of Shelly’s amazing longevity. She admitted she isn’t sure she wants such a long career, but feels grateful and honored to compete alongside someone she truly admires. And amidst all that, Wooden also shared a personal moment with the Jamaican star.

She said that earlier today, Shelly had congratulated her on clocking all those 10.6s, and she was like, “I’m trying to be like you.” And that is a threat to Sha’Carri Richardson being the 5th fastest woman of all time with her 10.65s. Melissa is already right next to her on that list after clocking the same time, and if Shelly is her inspiration, there are high chances that she is going to cross that mark because let’s not forget there was a time when the Jamaican had clocked 10.6s for an entire season.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce started her 2022 season with a 10.67 seconds on the clock in the 100m at the Kip Keino Classic. Out of twelve races that year, the Jamaican had clocked a sub-10.70 in seven races. The best part? All of them were legal. Her personal best that season was 10.62s, which came in the Monaco Diamond League. Sha’Carri Richardson’s 10.65 is her only legal sub-10.70 of her entire career, and seeing her current form, another feels almost impossible.

Meanwhile, Melissa Jefferson has surpassed her by clocking it twice, and if the form continues, a sub-10.65 does not seem very far away. But that being said, there’s no doubt that all three of them have been some of the very best the 100m has seen.

Shelly and Sha’Carri have shared a unique rivalry over the years, while Melissa is her very own training partner – this is what makes the 100m women in Brussels so interesting.

Sha’Carri Richardson vs Shelly-Ann vs Melissa Jefferson in Brussels

For the very first time in history, Sha’Carri Richardson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden are going head to head in the 100m at the Brussels Diamond League on August 22. Favour Ofili and Maia McCoy will also be joining them there. Do you know another interesting fact?

Melissa Jefferson has outrun her training partner as of the 2025 season, but she has yet to face Shelly this season.

Jefferson-Wooden has dominated Sha’Carri Richardson in 2025, winning the 100m in 10.75s at the Prefontaine Classic while Richardson finished eighth in 11.19s. She reinforced her superiority at the Silesia Diamond League, clocking 10.66s to Richardson’s sixth-place 11.05s, highlighting Jefferson-Wooden’s exceptional form this season.

Meanwhile, the head-to-head between Sha’Carri Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce stands at 5-3, in the US athlete’s favor. Now, the question remains: Is it going to be 6-3 or 5-4?