Jefferson-Wooden eases into world 200m semis, sets sights on being next Fraser-Pryce

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden eased into the 200 metres semi-finals connected Wednesday successful Tokyo arsenic she began her quest to go the archetypal pistillate to execute the idiosyncratic satellite sprint treble since Jamaican fable Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce successful Moscow successful 2013.

Were she to bash truthful — emulating German Katrin Krabbe’s satellite idiosyncratic treble successful Tokyo successful 1991 — it would beryllium an fantabulous launching pad successful her extremity to travel the “greatest”, arsenic she called Fraser-Pryce, and triumph “multiple medals.”

The task for the 24-year-old American, who timed 22.24sec astatine the National Stadium, has been made easier with some past year’s Olympic champion Gabby Thomas and metallic medallist Julien Alfred absent due to the fact that of injury.

Jefferson-Wooden said she had gone against manager Dennis Mitchell’s proposal to conserve vigor successful her heat, arsenic she thought her rivals were person to her than they truly were.

However, she added she was not disquieted arsenic her play had gone beautifully to program truthful far, with her commanding triumph successful the 100m connected Sunday giving her the archetypal portion of her double.

“So far, everything I person been doing the full twelvemonth has been working,” she said.

“Now I conscionable request to repetition it successful the 200m and the relay. I privation 3 golden medals. I privation to propulsion my body.”

(From L) France’s jock Helene Parisot, US’ jock Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Australia’s jock Mia Gross vie successful the women’s 200m heats during the World Athletics Championships successful Tokyo connected September 17, 2025. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

Jefferson-Wooden said her ambition was to bask the occurrence and longevity of Fraser-Pryce.

The 38-year-old Jamaican finished sixth down Jefferson-Wooden successful the 100m.

It was the past idiosyncratic last for Fraser-Pryce, who has garnered 25 Olympic and satellite medals implicit the astir 2 decades she competed.

“Shelly-Ann is the top of each time,” said Jefferson-Wooden. “I americium inspired by her. Being capable to tally the 100m last with her felt special.

“I privation to bash what she has done — triumph aggregate satellite medals.”

Jefferson-Wooden volition person to beryllium astatine her champion if she is to wrest the rubric distant from Jamaican large Shericka Jackson.

The 31-year-old two-time defending champion, who successful the past 2 editions doubly came agonisingly adjacent to the satellite sprint double, looked awesome arsenic she trotted to triumph successful her heat, timing 22.33sec.

Her predecessor arsenic satellite champion, Dina Asher-Smith, whitethorn not beryllium the unit she was successful the 100m, finishing past successful Monday’s final.

However, it seems to beryllium a antithetic substance implicit the longer sprint distance.

The mode successful which the 29-year-old Briton coasted successful her vigor to timepiece 22.40sec, and with 2 large medal contenders missing, suggests she is successful with a accidental of a podium finish.

Both her teammates, chap seasoned Daryll Neita and young anticipation Amy Hunt progressed, arsenic did each Jefferson-Wooden’s compatriots.

Anavia Battle took her awesome signifier connected the Diamond League circuit this season, winning 4 times, into her vigor arsenic the 26-year-old American ran a season’s champion 22.07sec.

Ivorian seasoned Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, 36, bidding to scope an astonishing 13th satellite and Olympic final, was 2nd to Battle.

The 3rd American, McKenzie Long, besides won her vigor successful 22.51sec, and the 4th and last subordinate of the team, Brittany Brown, who earned a chaotic paper for winning the Diamond League last past month, besides cruised.

The 30-year-old Olympic bronze medallist, who took metallic successful the 2019 satellite last down Asher-Smith, timed ...