Tokyo 2025: Explosive Finals See Jefferson-Wooden and Seville Crowned 100m World Champions

TOKYO – America’s Melissa Jefferson-Wooden produced one of the greatest sprints in history to win the women’s 100m, while Jamaica’s Oblique Seville dethroned defending champion Noah Lyles in the men’s final on a blockbuster Sunday night at the World Athletics Championships.

On a dramatic evening at a sold-out Japan National Stadium, Jefferson-Wooden’s sheer dominance was followed by a nail-biting men’s final that lived up to its thrilling billing.

Jefferson-Wooden’s Untouchable 10.61

Capping an incredible unbeaten season, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden stormed to the women’s 100m world title in a breathtaking 10.61 seconds. The time is the fastest ever run at a world championships and the fourth quickest in history.

The race, billed as a showdown between Jefferson-Wooden and Olympic champion Julien Alfred, was over almost as soon as it began. The American flew out of her blocks, established an insurmountable lead by the halfway mark, and steamed home to claim her first global individual gold.

"It has been an amazing year. I have been dreaming of this moment," Jefferson-Wooden said. "When the gun went off, I just thought 'Come on, get out strong'. The rest of the race went like a blink of an eye. When I crossed the line I was like 'Oh wow, I won'."

Behind her, Tina Clayton confirmed her status as Jamaica’s next great sprinter, taking silver with a personal best of 10.76. Saint Lucia's Alfred held on for bronze in 10.84 but later revealed she had pulled a hamstring. In a fitting farewell, Jamaica’s legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finished sixth in her final major championship race before retirement.

Seville Leads Jamaican Charge to Dethrone Lyles

The men’s final saw the end of Noah Lyles' reign over the 100m. Despite declaring he was in the "best form of his life" after his heat, the American showman had to settle for silver as Jamaica’s Oblique Seville fulfilled his immense potential to win gold.

Lyles, the champion in Budapest and Paris, entered the final as the man to beat, but faced a severe threat from the Jamaican duo of Seville and Kishane Thompson, the year's fastest man. In a blanket finish, Seville surged through in the final metres to win in 9.77 seconds, with Lyles just behind in 9.80. Thompson secured the bronze in 9.81, capping a brilliant night for Jamaica.

The result was a testament to Seville’s commanding early-season form, which included a comprehensive victory over Lyles in August. While Lyles insisted he had "more in the tank" after the heats, he could not match the top-end speed of the Jamaicans when it mattered most.(NewsCenter)