“ One Day, One Practice, One Meet at a Time, ” read the caption of an Instagram post from Melissa Jefferson-Wooden the day Tokyo World Athletics Championships began. It’s a mantra that has summed up her time at the competition. Boasting two sub-10.70s in one season and an unblemished record of 0 races lost, Jefferson-Wooden entered the Championships as a favorite for the 100 m event. After going 10.73s in the semis, the fastest among all, it was a question of whether she could fend off the competition in the main event. The American had to settle for bronze last year at the Paris Olympics, but this time? The gold was all hers.

2025 World Athletics Championships. The women’s 100m final. The stage was set, and the American national champion was putting her undefeated streak on the line. J

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