Some athletes stumbled literally, while others watched their crowns slip to rivals. That was the story of Day 2 at the World Championships. If you thought Day 1 delivered drama, Day 2 turned up the chaos. From Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson being dethroned, to a Jamaican resurgence, to unexpected falls shaking up the competition, the day was nothing short of a rollercoaster. But when the dust settled, who truly emerged as the winners of Day 2?

Team USA secured medals, but the defining storyline of Day 2 was Jamaica’s stunning comeback, reclaiming the spotlight on the global stage. Adding to the drama, fans witnessed the emotional farewell of sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a moment that will be etched in history. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the highlights.

Oblique Seville stuns in the men’s 100m as he ends Noah Lyles’ dominance

Since the USATF trials, a fiery three-way rivalry has been brewing between Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, and Kishane Thompson, the reigning champion, the season’s second-fastest man, and the year’s outright speed leader. Fans expected these three to dominate the World Championships, but Oblique Seville stunningly flipped the script. Before that shock, however, the drama peaked when one of the medal favorites, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, was sensationally red-carded for a false start, leaving the track in disbelief and heartbreak.

Speaking to the media, Tebogo admitted, “I just had to let the race go because the guys were ready. I didn’t want to delay things or protest against the officials.” A heartbreaking end to his 100m dreams. As he was escorted off the track, the gun fired, and the race roared to life. Kishane Thompson surged ahead early, but Oblique Seville emphatically snatched the moment, blazing to 9.77 seconds, claiming gold, and announcing himself as Jamaica’s new sprint king. His compatriot, Thompson, came in second, clocking 9.82.

A two-way medal for Jamaica, as both of them were crowned as champions, the camera panned to Usain Bolt as we witnessed his excitement. For Lyles, who came into the championships as both the reigning world champion and Olympic gold medalist, he had to settle for the bronze medal as he clocked 9.89, his season best. Well, Team USA lost its 100m crown in the men’s category but retained it in the women’s category. But there’s a twist.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden ends Sha’Carri Richardson’s reign

If the men’s 100m brought drama to the Tokyo Worlds, the women’s 100m delivered pure history. Reigning champion Sha’Carri Richardson finally tasted defeat as her turbulent 2025 season continued. In a stunning twist, it was her teammate Melissa Jefferson-Wooden who stole the show, blazing to a breathtaking 10.61 seconds to set a new championship record.

Changing the women’s 100m hierarchy, Melissa showcased why her name should be etched in history as one of the best. She arrived in Tokyo with an unblemished record in both the 100m and 200m. Time after time, she tore through headwinds with sub-10.8 runs, proving her dominance wasn’t weather-dependent. At the U.S. Championships, she clocked 10.65, tying the sixth-fastest mark ever recorded.

Her performance in Tokyo not only earned her the gold medal but also placed her fourth on the all-time list—leapfrogging the great Carmelita Jeter and matching Elaine Thompson. In addition, she is now the fastest American woman of all time. Well, on the other hand, Sha’Carri Richardson came fifth, clocking 10.94 s, losing her medal. What caught everyone’s attention was Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as she bid adieu to the world of track and field with her final performance, clocking 11.03s, coming 6th.

During the post-race interview, Tina Clayton, the silver medalist in the women’s 100m, talked about how Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is her idol and how she wants to follow in her footsteps. Funnily enough, Fraser-Pryce humorously asked, “Put on your medal, girl.”

Chaos in the 1500m women’s race

There was absolute chaos at the women’s 1500m semifinals, though for different reasons. The tightly packed heats witnessed the runners running with all of their passion, leading to trips and near falls. Australia’s Jess Hull narrowly avoided disaster, while Italy’s Marta Zenoni was disqualified for impeding another runner. It was a chaotic endeavor that followed.

Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu faced early drama. Just 150m in, while leading, she was clipped by a Spanish runner and tumbled to the track. Despite the tumble, the athlete ran the entire 1500m with passion and clinched the third position, placing her name in the finals alongside Faith Kipyegon, Dorcas Ewoi, and Nelly Chepchirchir.