The National Stadium in Kingston buzzed with anticipation as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the sprinting legend, lined up for her final 100m race on Jamaican soil at the 2025 Jamaican National Trials. Fans held their breath, knowing this was the last chance to see the two-time Olympic champion in her home arena. Yet, the spotlight shifted to a new star: 20-year-old Tina Clayton, who blazed to a personal best of 10.81 seconds (+0.1 m/s), stunningly defeating Fraser-Pryce (10.91s) and Shericka Jackson (10.88s). But what made this victory bittersweet for the rising star?

Clayton’s triumph was a masterclass in speed and grit. She exploded off the blocks, holding off Jamaica’s sprint queens to claim her first senior national title and a spot at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. The MVP Track Club standout, a four-time World U20 champion, proved she’s ready to carry Jamaica’s sprinting legacy. Yet, as she crossed the finish line, her joy was tempered by a heart-wrenching sight: her twin sister, Tia Clayton, pulling up mid-race with a hamstring injury. How could a dream moment feel so heavy?

“I’m absolutely gutted for Tia Clayton, who pulled up injured halfway through last night’s 100m final at the JAAA Championships!” she wrote on X. Again in a post-race interview with CITIUS MAG, Tina revealed the emotional toll: “It’s a very sad moment. For both of us to meet the team, it was a dream, and the fact that it was my first time making the final, I was like, it is possible.” The Clayton twins, inseparable since their days at Edwin Allen High, had envisioned standing together on Jamaica’s world stage. “Track and field is a very ungrateful sport,” Tina added. “Things happen, so we give and take, and we still give God the glory.” Her words captured the duality of her breakthrough. What does this mean for the twins’ shared journey?

As Fraser-Pryce, 38, nears retirement, Tina’s 10.81s signals a new era. Her earlier 2025 wins, 7.08s in the 60m and 11.12s at Velocity Fest 17, show she’s no fluke. But with Tia sidelined, can Tina carry Jamaica’s sprint hopes alone in Tokyo? Well she won’t be entirely alone there.

Fraser-Pryce’s last run had an emotional exit

The 2025 Jamaican National Trials were electric, with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce facing a colossal challenge in the women’s 100m final. Lining up against rising stars Tina and Tia Clayton and sprint titan Shericka Jackson, the 38-year-old legend needed a near-perfect race to secure her final World Championships berth. Fraser-Pryce delivered, clocking 10.91 seconds to take third behind Tina Clayton’s blazing 10.81s and Jackson’s 10.88s. The Kingston crowd roared, celebrating their new champion and their iconic “Pocket Rocket.” But what did this moment mean to Fraser-Pryce?

In a heartfelt moment with Jamaican broadcasters, Fraser-Pryce reflected on her bittersweet farewell to the National Stadium: “I tried not to be too emotional and focus on my race, but I felt the love and I felt the support, and I’m truly grateful for it.” Her words carried the weight of a storied career, two Olympic 100m golds, five world sprint titles, and a legacy as Jamaica’s sprint queen. Despite the loss, her third-place finish punched her ticket to Tokyo. What lies ahead for this veteran in her final global showdown?

Jamaica’s 100m contingent for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, set for September 13-21 in Tokyo, is formidable. On the women’s side, Tina Clayton, Shericka Jackson, and Fraser-Pryce will carry the nation’s hopes, while Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville, and Ackeem Blake dominate the men’s lineup. With Tia Clayton’s injury sidelining her, the focus shifts to this powerhouse six. How will they prepare in the coming months?

With a few months to rest and refine their form, these sprinters face a global stage stacked with rivals like Sha’Carri Richardson. Can Jamaica’s stars maintain their sprinting dominance in Tokyo?